Theft of Rs 2.9 Million in 2017: Pierre Percy Bernard Tuyau Acquitted Due to Lack of Evidence

Pierre Percy Bernard Tuyau was accused of stealing Rs 1,441,242 and a check belonging to Hyvec Distribution Limited. On October 10, 2025, the Intermediate Court acquitted the 45-year-old electrician, concluding that no evidence established the theft or receiving stolen goods charges against him.

On November 6, 2017, a robbery was reported on Remono Street in Rose Hill, affecting Hyvec Distribution Limited. The seller and the company's manager were driving to the bank to make a deposit when they were attacked. The assailants, masked and armed, approached in the opposite direction and blocked their vehicle with motorcycles. One of them approached the car with a sword, smashed the windshield, and stole a bag containing cash and a check. He then struck the front of the vehicle with the sword and fled.

The investigation led to the arrest of three individuals: Nathanael Lionel Claude Beloiseau, Jean Patrick Kenny Joseph, and Jean Yohan Kervin Stany Petit. They implicated Pierre Percy Bernard Tuyau in their police statements and identified him during the investigation.

On May 2, 2023, Pierre Percy Bernard Tuyau faced charges of "larceny made by more than 2 individuals" and receiving stolen goods in the Intermediate Court, to which he pleaded not guilty, denying the accusations in his police statements.

In her ruling, Magistrate Magalie Lambert Henry noted that she considered the testimony of the seller and the manager of Hyvec Distribution Limited. Both employees were unable to identify the robbers, as they were all wearing full-face helmets. They indicated that the bag contained money but did not know the exact amount. The money was to be deposited at the bank but was stolen. The magistrate pointed out that the prosecution "has failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt the exact amount stolen on the material day."

According to the testimony of Sergeants Busguth and Salabee, one employee was injured in the face from glass debris but did not go to the hospital.

The magistrate noted that although fingerprints were found on the driver's side door of the vehicle, there was no evidence linking Pierre Percy Bernard Tuyau to the crime scene.

Very Poor Evidence

Additionally, the magistrate considered the testimonies of Nathanael Lionel Claude Beloiseau, Jean Patrick Kenny Joseph, and Jean Yohan Kervin Stany Petit, all of whom were convicted of the same robbery. However, they struggled to recall how the theft occurred and had difficulty identifying Pierre Percy Bernard Tuyau as the person they mentioned in their police statements. The magistrate deemed their testimonies as "very poor evidence."

"I consider that there is no real evidence placed before the Court linking the accused (Pierre Percy Bernard Tuyau) to the larceny case: no fingerprints, or DNA. The evidence of the two eyewitnesses falls short of establishing the accused was seen on the spot of larceny."

Regarding the charge of receiving stolen goods, she argued that the prosecution could not establish this accusation, resulting in a verdict of acquittal for Pierre Percy Bernard Tuyau.