KUWAIT CITY, Mar 4: The Public Prosecution has ordered the detention of a Kuwait Municipality employee pending investigation into allegations that he stole license plates from a vehicle impounded at the Naeem scrapyard and affixed them to his own judicially impounded car to evade detection.

The incident came to light when a citizen discovered a traffic violation issued against his vehicle, despite it being impounded at the Naeem scrapyard during the time of the alleged offense. Confused, the citizen approached the General Traffic Department to report the discrepancy. Upon investigation, authorities confirmed that the violation was correctly linked to the license plate number. The complainant then visited the municipality’s impound garage, where he obtained proof that his vehicle was still in custody. However, it was discovered that the car’s license plates were missing, prompting him to file a formal complaint with the General Department of Criminal Investigations.

A security source revealed that detectives from the Taima police station took charge of the case. Their investigation led to the identification and arrest of the suspect, an employee working in the Kuwait Municipality’s Vehicle Impoundment Department at the Naeem scrapyard. During interrogation, the accused admitted to stealing the plates and installing them on his vehicle, which had been judicially impounded. He reportedly confessed to using the stolen plates to mislead security personnel and avoid arrest, as his vehicle was subject to a judicial impoundment order. The source added, “The Public Prosecutor was informed of the case and ordered the registration of charges against the accused. He has been referred to the competent authorities and detained pending further legal proceedings.” The incident highlights a breach of trust within a government department and underscores the lengths to which individuals may go to circumvent legal restrictions. Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine if additional violations or accomplices are involved.