Police have publicly identified a 26-year-old motorcyclist arrested after an alleged high-speed attempt to evade officers ended with a collision involving a police vehicle in Malé.
The Maldives Police Service identified the suspect as Ahmed Farish, from Snowsky, K. Maafushi, and said he was arrested early Sunday morning following a search through the capital.
According to police, the incident began after authorities received reports of a motorcyclist travelling dangerously along the highway from Hulhumalé towards Malé.
Police said the rider was not wearing a helmet and was allegedly lying flat across the motorcycle seat while travelling along the highway, prompting officers to locate and attempt to stop him.
Officers identified the motorcycle near the traffic light on the Malé side and signalled the rider to pull over.
Instead of stopping, police allege that Farish accelerated away along Boduthakurufaanu Magu, triggering a pursuit.
Police vehicles followed the motorcycle and repeatedly instructed the rider to stop. During the attempt to evade officers, the motorcycle collided with a police vehicle, causing an accident and damaging the police car.
The rider then allegedly abandoned the motorcycle at the scene and fled on foot.
Patrolling officers subsequently searched for him in Malé before intercepting him on Moonlight Hingun and taking him into custody.
Police also allege that Farish was under the influence at the time of the incident.
Following his arrest, authorities disclosed what they described as an extensive history of traffic violations associated with the suspect.
According to police, Farish has accumulated MVR 44,000 in unpaid traffic fines.
His traffic record includes alleged instances of driving without a valid licence, travelling against one-way traffic restrictions, speeding and operating a motorcycle without side mirrors.
Police said he had also previously been caught driving on multiple occasions while his licence was suspended, in addition to offences involving reckless driving that endangered other road users and the use of modified motorcycle lights.
Farish was taken before a court following his arrest, where authorities requested his continued detention while the case is investigated. The court subsequently ordered him to remain in custody for seven days.
Police said the investigation remains ongoing.
The case comes shortly after the Maldives Police Service announced tougher measures against dangerous driving, particularly behaviour authorities say deliberately creates fear among members of the public or puts other road users at risk.
Police have also said the identities of individuals arrested over such conduct may be publicly disclosed as part of the enforcement campaign.
Farish is the first suspect to be publicly identified following the announcement of the new approach.
Reckless motorcycle riding has remained a recurring road safety concern in the Greater Malé region, where motorcycles account for the overwhelming majority of registered vehicles.
Authorities have increasingly focused on dangerous riding, excessive speeding, illegally modified motorcycles and repeat traffic offenders as part of efforts to reduce serious accidents and improve safety on roads connecting Malé, Hulhumalé and Hulhulé.
Police said further investigative work is being carried out in relation to Sunday’s incident.
