Saudi Arabia: Duo caught for Riyadh smash-and-grab car break-ins
Suspects allegedly stole cars to commit vehicle break-ins, targeting cash, valuables
Abu Dhabi: Riyadh police have arrested two Saudi men in their 20s for allegedly smashing car windows, breaking in and stealing valuables, police said.
Major Khaled Al Kreidis, spokesman for the Riyadh police, said the suspects’ line of business was stealing cars to commit vehicle break-in offences, targeting cash and valuables.
The car smash-and-grabbers were referred to the Public Prosecution for further questioning and trial, Major Al Kreidis said.
Police advised motorists to make sure their valuables are out of sight. “Before you get out of your car, never leave these things lying out on your seats, dashboard or floor as smash-and-grab thieves typically aren’t criminal masterminds, who craft clever schemes to swipe your stuff,” police said.
An average of 38 vehicles are stolen every day in the Kingdom, but police only recover less than half of them, according to official figures released by the Ministry of Interior in 2017.
Informed sources said the danger of this kind of crime is not in the theft itself but the vehicles might be used to commit more serious crimes, especially terrorist activities.
They noted a remarkable increase in car thefts during the past few years, making it the most common crime in the Kingdom.