A parked car, an open window — and a crime in seconds: Sharjah Police recount incident

A routine stop outside a shop was all it took for a parked vehicle to become an easy target — a real-life incident that has now been turned into a public awareness message by Al Dhaid Comprehensive Police Station, affiliated with the Sharjah Police General Command.

The case was presented through a dramatised acting scene in the television programme Asakam Ala Al Quwa, aired on Al Wusta Channel from Al Dhaid, part of the Sharjah Broadcasting Authority. The awareness video recreates an actual theft, showing how a brief lapse can quickly escalate into a crime — and how swift police action can bring it to an end.

In the reenactment, the vehicle owner parks briefly outside a shop and steps away, leaving one of the windows open. The oversight does not go unnoticed. A suspect approaches cautiously, opens the door and drives off within moments. The owner attempts to chase the vehicle, but it disappears from sight.

The police report is filed immediately — and the response is just as fast.

Criminal Investigation teams from the Sharjah Police General Command arrive within minutes, secure the scene and begin collecting initial evidence. Surveillance cameras in the surrounding area, particularly those installed at a nearby shop, prove decisive.

The footage captures the theft clearly, tracing the suspect’s movements, identifying the vehicle involved and revealing the direction of escape. Specialists analyse the recordings and promptly circulate the vehicle’s description to patrols and investigation units, triggering a coordinated search.

Hours later, the breakthrough comes.

The stolen vehicle is located inside a garage in a deserted area. Police teams move in swiftly, establish a security perimeter and arrest the suspect in a controlled operation. The vehicle is recovered, bringing the case to a close with speed, accuracy, and professionalism.

While the arrest marks the end of the case, the awareness video delivers a wider message — that most vehicle thefts occur in moments of opportunity, created by unlocked doors, open windows or keys left behind for just seconds.

Authorities urge motorists to switch off engines, remove keys, lock all doors, and ensure windows are fully closed before leaving their vehicles, regardless of how brief the stop may seem.

By recreating the real incident through a human-centred television reenactment, Sharjah Police aim to raise community awareness and remind motorists that road safety often begins with small choices — moments that can decide whether a day passes normally or ends in costly loss.