UAE | Crime
Gang broke into Dubai flat and stole valuables
A six-strong masked gang wielding swords and knives broke into a flat and stole cash and valuables, a court heard on Thursday.
- By Bassam Za'za', Senior Reporter
- Published: 00:28 April 18, 2008
Dubai: A six-strong masked gang wielding swords and knives broke into a flat and stole cash and valuables, a court heard on Thursday.
The Chinese suspects denied the charges before Presiding Judge Abdul Majid Al Nezamy at the Dubai Court of First Instance.
The Public Prosecution charged 35-year-old J.Y., 36-year-old Z.H., 48-year-old A.C., 26-year-old A.Y., 27-year-old Z.J. and 50-year-old L.Y. with using weapons, which they used to frighten the victims, and with stealing Dh7,500, three laptops, five cell phones, four gold rings and two women's watches.
A 24-year-old Chinese saleswoman, one of the victims, testified before the Public Prosecution: "When I was at home I heard loud noises at about 2.30am. I opened the door to one of the rooms and saw six masked men who were wearing gloves and carrying big and long knives... they pushed my room door and threatened me with the sharp tools. They tied me and other occupants up, including my three compatriots, in the flat and stole our belongings."
The saleswoman, identified as D.Z., told her interrogators that the perpetrators used plastic rope to tie them up.
"Three girls and a man occupy the flat besides me. They gathered us in one spot and covered our heads with a huge blanket so that none of our neighbours would hear us crying out for help. They assaulted the other woman and injured one of them. I remained calm and was afraid to resist or shout," said D.Z.
A 29-year-old first policeman stated: "One of the suspects was apprehended for being involved in another robbery of the same modus operandi. We summoned D.Z. and the other victims who all identified the suspects in the police line-up. We seized some of the stolen items in the suspects' possession; meanwhile, the saleswoman's mobile phone was found in A.C.'s car."
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