Seven arrested over cable theft

Sharjah Police yesterday arrested seven men as they allegedly attempted to steal high pressure cables from an electricity station belonging to Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (Sewa).

A Sharjah Police official told Gulf News that they received a tip off about the plan, in which the Pakistani suspects offered a bribe to the watchman at the Sewa station to allow them access into the station and steal cables.

Investigations by police raised suspicion about seven suspects who were dealing with one of the scrap companies located at Sharjah industrial area, who had also allegedly brought a truck in preparation for loading the cables they planned to rob.

"The suspects were caught red handed while they were busy trying to steal the cables. During interrogation, they confessed to stealing the cables to sell it to a scrap company they were dealing with," said the official. The suspects are currently detained and will be referred to the public prosecution office.

Sharjah police have warned companies about this trend, and urged scrap companies selling electrical cables to first check the source of the cables, in addition to checking the bills.

"Many shop owners were illegally involved as they unknowingly bought stolen items without confirming if they were stolen or not," added the police official.