Memory stick thief caught on security camera jailed

Dubai: A vendor at a store who was filmed by security cameras stealing a memory stick and hiding it in a washing machine has been jailed.

The Dubai Court of First Instance sentenced the 25-year-old Syrian vendor, identified as L.T., to three months in jail. He will be deported after serving his punishment.

An alert security guard who was monitoring the closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras saw the accused taking the memory stick and hiding it in a washing machine.

The guard watched the accused, who works in the refrigerator and washing machine section, until the latter finished his shift. Records said L.T. took the stolen item from the washing machine, put it in his pocket and walked towards the store's entrance, where the security stopped him.

A manager at the store, R.W., told the public prosecution: "The guard informed me that he noticed L.T. when he secretly removed the memory stick from the camera and radio section. He hid it in the washing machine and was planning to take it out when he finished his shift. I watched what he did on the monitor before the security guards stopped him."

R.W. said when he confronted the accused, the latter admitted that he stole the stick and returned it. Police then arrested the defendant.

The initial verdict is still subject to appeal.