Sharjah: Following complaints from residents, two Arab men were arrested here for impersonating police officers and robbing people of their personal belongings, according to authorities.
Operatives of the Criminal Investigation Department of Sharjah Police have arrested the suspects after the victims from various nationalities lodged complaints with the police.
Gulf News learnt that Al Gharb police station received nine complaints from people in various areas — with the common complaint that the impersonators had robbed their victims after introducing themselves as police officers.
The suspects in some cases assaulted their victims and took their victims' wallets and mobile phones.
A police team was formed to investigate the complaints and tracked down the suspects.
A trap was set and the suspects were arrested.
The suspects confessed to the charges and the case was transferred to the Public Prosecution Department.
Lt. Col Mohammad Hassan Al Shamisi, Head of Criminal and Investigation section at Al Gharb police station, said: “We found out that the suspects were targeting people who did not have adequate knowledge about the legal procedures taken by the police or those who did not ask him for his police identity card.”
The official urged residents to be wary of falling victim to such fraudsters.
He also advised people to always ask for identification when someone claims to be a police officer, and ask about permission from the public prosecution authorizing them to search people.
Police officers never ask people to show wallets or demand money, he pointed out.
Lt. Col. Al Shamisi called upon who come across such individuals to report them immediately to the police.
How to report crime
Members of the public can report crimes or suspicious individuals to Sharjah Police by calling 901 or 065943210 or the toll-free number Najeed 800151, or text 7999 or email www.shjpolice.gov.ae/najeed
