Atlantis Hotel guards steal wallets and phones

Dubai: Two guards at Atlantis hotel were caught stealing guests' wallets and mobile phones from their workplace after one of the suspects' girlfriend used a stolen handset.

Police interrogators tracked down one of the suspects, 32-year-old Filipino, J.P., after his girlfriend used one of three mobile phones which his 33-year-old compatriot, A.J., stole from hotel guests.

Prosecutors charged A.J. with stealing two wallets, containing credit cards and personal documents, and three mobile phones from an Emirati guest and his son.

The Public Prosecution also charged J.P. with possessing a stolen mobile phone and Dh300 which was pocketed from the guests' wallets.

Investigation

A Yemeni first policeman testified: "We received a theft report that happened at the Aqua Park in Atlantis hotel … we couldn't expose the suspects after checking the surveillance cameras. Preliminary investigations revealed that a girl named, J.S., made a phone call using one of the stolen phones. After discovering that she was J.P.'s girlfriend, we summoned her for questioning. She claimed that her boyfriend handed her the handset and she was not aware that it was stolen. We brought in the 32 year old who admitted that A.J. stole the phone and gave it to him, along with Dh300 to keep silent and not report it to the police."

The duo pleaded guilty when they appeared before the Dubai Court of First Instance. "I am guilty. I seek forgiveness and mercy," said A.J. to Judge Hamad Abdul Latif Abdul Jawad.

A verdict will be heard later this month.