Multiple motorcycle thefts: Mechanic Bara Seck remanded in custody

The scenario repeats itself, almost identically. A broken-down motorcycle, a mechanic who appears out of nowhere, a few manipulations, a part to buy, and, at the moment of the test ride, the escape with the machine! This is the modus operandi of the mechanic ML Sèye, known as "Bara Seck".

Arrested on September 19, 2026, in Thiaroye by the Guinaw-Rails police, the 21-year-old was brought before the Pikine-Guédiawaye prosecutor's office. He was remanded in custody. His trial is scheduled for September 28 before the court for flagrant offenses.

Regarding the arrest

On August 13th, El Hadj Babacar Guèye, owner of several Wave locations, went to the Guinaw-Rails police station to report the theft of his black Honda SH, valued at 660,000 CFA francs. According to his statement, his motorcycle had broken down in front of his Wave location. A man claiming to be a mechanic offered to help. He directed him to a workshop, worked on the motorcycle, and then asked him to buy a fuse. Upon his return, the motorcycle started again. The supposed mechanic then offered to take it for a test ride and got on the Honda before disappearing .

But a surveillance camera recorded the scene. El Hadj Babacar Guèye handed the video over to the police, who launched a search to identify the alleged perpetrator. A month later, on September 19, investigators located Bara Seck in the Thiaroye area, where he was arrested.

Four victims, the same scenario

The investigation then uncovered other cases. Babacar Diagne, a municipal employee in Ouakam, claims to have been a victim of the same scheme on September 9th. His black Honda, valued at 600,000 CFA francs, was stolen after the suspect offered to help him out. The same scenario played out there as well.

Bathie Diop, a "tiak-tiak" driver, recounts a similar incident on September 6th. After picking him up as a passenger, he claims that Bara Seck offered to repair his Jakarta motorcycle, mentioning a bearing problem. He alleges that Seck asked him to fetch a part before disappearing with the vehicle, valued at 380,000 CFA francs.

A fourth case involves Papa Alioune Sow. On August 12, he picked up Bara Seck on his motorcycle for a ride to Dalal Jamm. When his motorcycle broke down, the suspect offered to repair it before taking him to a house in Fith- Mbith . Taking advantage of the owner's wait, he drove off with the Honda SH, valued at 720,000 CFA francs. Surveillance video also captured the incident.

During his hearing on September 20, Bara Seck admitted to stealing El Hadj Babacar Guèye's motorcycle. He was shown CCTV footage and confirmed that he was the person in the images. He stated that he had resold the Honda to a man named Lamine Guèye, who resides in Thiaroye and is currently in the United States.

He also admitted to stealing Papa Alioune Sow's motorcycle and confirmed that he appeared on the CCTV footage. He also confessed to reselling the vehicle to the same Lamine Guèye.

However, he contested the charges of Babacar Diagne and Bathie Diop, arguing that they did not have evidence for their accusations.

However, a confrontation organized on September 20 between the four plaintiffs and the suspect did not change the victims' statements.