Dubai: A salesman has been accused of 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), allegedly 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 salesman in a sting operation at Global Village.
The salesman pleaded not guilty before presiding judge Ezzat Abdul Lat at the Dubai Court of First Instance on Thursday.
Prosecutors said the defendant 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 at 9am, we discovered that someone had looted the place. The locks were damaged and the glass door was open. They took 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,” the owner said.
A police lieutenant told prosecutors that primary interrogations revealed the involvement of the salesman and he other suspects in the heist.
“During questioning, the defendant admitted to driving the car along with three others to Satwa. He alleged that 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 an iron scissor. The Afghan alleged that they took two huge bags with the smart phones that they stole and went to Sharjah,” he testified.
The suspect claimed that his accomplices did not give him his share after selling the stoles phones.
A ruling will be heard on June 29.
