Dubai: Three jobless men have been charged with smashing the glass door of a pharmacy before walking in and stealing Dh11,000 worth of prescription drugs and cash.
Two Emirati men, 27-year-old A.M. and 22-year-old O.A., and 19-year-old S.A., from Comoros Islands, were said to have broken the pharmacy’s door and stolen the prescription drugs and Dh3,150 in cash in August.
Prosecutors accused the trio of using a weapon [interlock] to steal from the pharmacy in Al Muraqqabat.
The suspects pleaded not guilty when they appeared before the Dubai Court of First Instance on Monday.
According to the charge sheet, prosecutors said the suspects stole medicines that are only sold on medical prescription and cash.
The defendants argued before presiding judge Ezzat Mansour that they did not commit the theft and asked to be acquitted.
An Indian manager claimed to prosecutors that the pharmacy’s door was broken and someone had stolen the prescription medicines and cash from the register.
“Upon examining the pharmacy, we discovered that too many prescription drugs had been stolen. When the police arrived, they examined the surveillance cameras … the images showed suspect using his shoulder to push the door three times until the glass broke and the door opened. According to the footage, another suspect walked in behind the first one who broke the door. They were also shown on CCTV heading directly to the storeroom where the drugs were kept,” testified the manager.
A police first sergeant claimed to prosecutors: “When I questioned the trio, they claimed to me that they broke the glass door with a rock. The stolen drugs were seized in A.M.’s possession.”
The defendants were cited admitting to prosecutors that they carried out the heist.
Meanwhile O.A.’s lawyer asked the court for an adjournment until he submits his written defence when the court reconvenes on October 22.
