Two men caught stealing diesel

Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi Police have arrested two Syrian men caught in the act of stealing 200 gallons of diesel from a project site overseen by a prominent organisation in Al Gharbia.

The police had received several complaints of similar thefts in the area, said a statement issued by Abu Dhabi Police on Saturday.

Well organised

Police said the two men, identified as H.A. and A.K., had carried out the crime using equipment specifically designed to syphon diesel from tanks. The men are suspected of stealing fuel from various sites and storing it elsewhere.

Under interrogation, the suspects admitted to planning to steal fuel from six other locations in a similar manner. They planned to sell the fuel to stores in the Musaffah area and to truck drivers.

Hamad Al Daheri, director of Western Region Police, said previous crimes committed by the suspects had not been reported promptly, with the result that the suspects were at large for a long time. He said lack of proper security on work sites allowed the suspects to carry out their crimes.

He called on the owners of companies that have valuable property on construction sites in remote areas to appoint security guards to properly protect the sites. He also urged them to coordinate with local police to ensure that the sites are patrolled regularly.