Dubai: A salesman was jailed for a year on Monday for breaking into a mobile phone store in Satwa and stealing 750 devices worth Dh1.8 million.
The 29-year-old Afghan salesman, accompanied by three other suspects (who remain at large), drove a friend’s car to the store and stole hundreds of iPhones, Samsungs, iPads, iPods and other items in December.
Police later arrested the accused, N.A., in a sting operation at Global Village.
The Dubai Court of First Instance jailed the defendant despite his denying involvement in the heist and pleading not guilty.
Presiding judge Ezzat Abdul Lat said the accused will be deported following the completion of his imprisonment.
Court records said N.A. used a screwdriver and a scissor to break the store’s three locks and enter the shop.
The store’s Iranian owner testified that the incident happened after they closed for the day at 11.15pm.
“When we returned to the store the next morning, we discovered that someone had broken into the place and robbed it. The locks were wrecked and the glass door was open. They stole iPhones, iPads, iPods, Samsung phones, tablets and other devices. The stolen products were worth around Dh1.8 million. We reported the matter to the police immediately,” the owner said.
A police lieutenant said primary interrogations revealed the involvement of N.A. and the other suspects in the heist.
“During questioning, the defendant admitted that he drove the car along with three others to Satwa. He said one man stayed in the car while he and the other two went to the store and broke the locks. They wore gloves and carried a screwdriver, crowbar and iron scissors. The Afghan claimed that they took two huge bags with the smartphones that they stole and went to Sharjah,” he testified.
The accused claimed that his accomplices did not give him his share after selling the stolen phones.
Monday’s ruling remains subject to appeal within 15 days.