Al Ain: A gang of four brothers whose attempt to steal and drive away with an ATM (automated teller machine) was foiled by a young Emirati man, were arrested by the police here in less than 24 hours.
The incident occurred on January 3 at the branch of the Abu Dhabi National Bank in the city, a top official of Al Ain police said on Tuesday. The report about the arrest of the family gang who were GCC nationals, was reported on Monday following completion of the investigations.
Brigadier Hamad Ajlan Al Amimi, Director of the Al Ain Police and Directorate of the Abu Dhabi Police, said that the police operations room received a call in the early hours of Thursday reporting the incident saying some masked men were attempting to steal an ATM machine belonging to a bank.
Police patrols moved to the scene of the incident, where police found the door’s glass had been smashed by the suspects and they had dragged an ATM machine from a room containing other three ATMs, they used an iron chain to pull the machine and then load it on to a vehicle.
The ATM machine was found almost a kilometre from the bank’s branch, smashed into four parts.
The suspects failed to steal the contents of the ATM as they fled when a young Emirati chased the suspects before reporting the incident to the police.
Police formed a team to trace the perpetrators. Investigations led to the arrest of four brothers, some of whom were unemployed.
The suspects confessed to the crime and said they planned to rob the ATM machine.
Brigadier Al Amimi described their criminal method as the first of its kind to occur in the city of Al Ain.
Police investigation revealed that the car, which used by the suspects was stolen from one of Abu Dhabi’s car showrooms, and they installed a plate number, which was also stolen from another car.
He praised the role of Al Ain Police as well the public’s role in tracing the suspects.
He pointed out members of the public must inform the police about any illegal activities they notice before taking action in order not to expose themselves to danger.
Abdullah Awad Alsyari, a 22-year-old Emirati in Al Ain, said he saw the burglars load an ATM machine onto their SUV (sports utility vehicle). The sight made him suspicious as it was late at night.
