Ajman: Police have arrested a gang of five men believed to have been involved in the armed robbery of Al Mustaqbal money exchange on Shaikh Rashid Bin Humaid Road in Ajman.
The gang of five Nigerians allegedly stole Dh275,000 in various foreign currencies.
Details of the robbery were announced by Brigadier Shaikh Sultan Al Nuaimi, Deputy Chief of Ajman Police and Lieutenant Colonel Abdullah Saif Al Matroushi, Director General of Criminal Investigation Department Ajman Police, during a press conference held at Ajman Police Headquarter.
Brigadier Al Nuaimi said the incident took place last week when the six entered the exchange and assaulted employees, threatening them with a toy gun before taking all the cash on the premises and fleeing.
The suspects entered the country on visit visas, which expired along time ago and were staying in the country illegally.
Brigadier Al Nuaimi said the police operation room received a call about the robbery at around 10.30pm on Thursday.
However, the suspects managed to escape before police arrived at the scene, as employees failed to activate the alarm on the premises.
Lieutenant Colonel Al Matroushi said police formed a special team to investigate the case.
The police team used sniffer dogs to trace the movement of the suspects and found a shirt worn by one of the suspects and a toy gun used in the crime.
Investigators also used footage obtained from surveillance cameras installed at the exchange house and the street, which helped they identify the getaway vehicle and its plate numbers.
In cooperation with Sharjah and Dubai Police, the officers managed to identify the suspects and their whereabouts. In five hours police arrested all the suspects.
The suspect who drove the car was arrested in Sharjah and he led the police to his accomplices in Dubai.
In coordination with Dubai Police the team raided the suspects’ residence and arrested four people.
The sixth man was not found and police are still searching for him.
On searching the house, police found Dh11,000 cash, receipts of purchases of gold, garments and various items, as well as invoices of money transferred to their countries.
Foreign currency, including US dollars, euros and Omani riyals, was also seized.
The suspects confessed to their crimes and the case has been referred to public prosecution for further action.
Brigadier Al Nuaimi said in order to prevent such kind of crime, police will organise awareness campaigns to educate the employees of the financial and commercial establishments on safest way to deal with this kind of incident when it happens during their working hours.
They will be educated about important of setting alarm off to alert the police to come their rescue before the crime take place.
