Chinese gang deny breaking into houses and stealing cash and valuables

Dubai: Three Chinese men have denied charges of using tools to break into houses and stealing more than Dh20,000 in cash and valuables, a court heard yesterday.

Prosecutors charged the trio, 31-year-old visitor Y.C., 24-year-old salesman K.L. and a 50-year-old worker, with using a hammer, screwdriver and a crowbar to break in and steal from two houses [in two separate cases] belonging to their compatriots.

When the trio appeared at the Dubai Court of First Instance, they denied the charges and pleaded innocent. The defendants, who are detained, pleaded not guilty in both cases.

A 29-year-old Chinese man testified that the suspects broke into his house and stole Dh20,000, a laptop, digital camera and two passports.

The second victim, a 21-year-old Chinese salesman, claimed in his statement: "They stole cash, two gold rings and a digital camera. When I opened the door of my flat, I spotted the trio stealing. One of them put a knife to my belly, pushed me to the ground and tied my arms and escaped after threatening to kill me."

A Yemeni policeman said the suspects were arrested in a sting operation. The victims identified the suspects at the police line-up. The trial continues.