Abu Dhabi: Multiple professional robberies carried out by thieves targeting unsuspecting bank customers have been monitored by the Abu Dhabi Police Operations room, giving the police department an insight into how thieves plan and carry out their crimes.
Describing what the police observed through surveillance cameras, Lt Col Nasser Sulaiman Al Maskari, Head of the Operations Department at the General Directorate of Central Operations, said, “Thieves lie in wait and observe their victims upon leaving the bank until they get into their car. At this point, the thief’s accomplice knocks on the car window pointing out a fake flaw in the car, from an oil leak to a flat tyre, prompting the driver to exit their vehicle to examine the damage.”
“This gives the suspect a window of opportunity to seize the cash or the handbag from the passenger seat inside the vehicle and to flee the scene quietly.”
Lt Col Al Maskari went on to give further insights into how the robbers operate, citing the timings the men operated at, and the procedures they followed.
“According to the study, the gang members are a group of at least three young men, with Asian features, aged between 25 and 35, and wearing shirts and pants. They usually carry out their robberies between 11.30am and 1:30pm.”
“According to the study, the gang members distribute tasks among them based on an elaborate plan to carry out their thefts. The gang is generally made up of thee members (the accomplice or deceiver, the main thief and the spotter who keeps watch). “The ‘deceiver’ knocks on the vehicle’s window, while the ‘thief’ opens the vehicle’s door and snatches the money after the victim steps out of the car. The ‘spotter’ pretends to speak on the mobile phone while keeping a lookout from afar.
“They all walk in one direction towards the nearest alley behind nearby buildings to avoid security cameras. They avoid using any transport, but sometimes use a bicycle to prowl around banks and choose their victims.”
According to Lt Col Al Maskari the robbers are also coordinating with other members with a sophisticated network in place, citing one example when the men were waiting outside a bank on the Corniche, and suddenly left on foot for another bank on Hamdan Street.
“This proves that the gang members received information by phone about a bank customer leaving the bank carrying cash. It also shows prior and professional plans to target bank clients,” he said.
Lt Col Al Maskari called on bank customers to be cautious when leaving the bank and to follow police instructions. He urged individuals to secure their money before leaving the bank, and to keep it out of sight from strangers, as well not leave the money in the car when parking in a public place.
“Women or elderly people should not be left alone when withdrawing large amounts of money, in order to maintain their safety and preserve their money against theft,” he added.
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at Abu Dhabi Police have already launched two media campaigns to protect bank clients in cooperation with the Security Media Department at the General Secretariat of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior. The campaigns warned bank clients against such thefts.
