Gang who stole goods worth Dh2.4m arrested

A four-member gang who stole Dh2.4 million worth of designer wristwatches and sunglasses were caught within 24 hours, a police official said.

Dubai police apprehended the Eastern European gang, who had stolen 243 wristwatches and 180 sunglasses within a day, said Brigadier Khamis Mattar Al Mazina, the Director of Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at Dubai Police.

Speaking at a press conference yesterday, the CID director said the thieves arrived in Dubai on visit visas and were staying in a neighbouring emirate.

"After studying the premises they were planning to rob, they chose to strike on a weekend. They managed to break into the shop through one of its high glass windows that wasn't properly closed," he said.

Brigadier Al Mazina praised the CID's efforts in hunting down the gang within 24 hours.

"The police were informed about the theft early on Saturday morning. Instantly, the police and the CID launched an intensive search campaign. Within 24 hours, the police discovered the four gang members were involved in the theft. It is believed they rented a car in Dubai, which they might have used during the theft," said Brigadier Al Mazina.

Cooperating with police in a neighbouring emirate led to the gang's quick capture he said.

Initially the gang denied any involvement in the case. However, it was later discovered that one of the gang members had bought a car in Sharjah and was planning to export it to his country through Port Rashid.

"The police foiled the process of exporting the car. Upon searching it, the stolen sunglasses and wristwatches were found hidden in a cartonin the trunk. Car auto parts were also found in other boxes in the vehicle.

"Some tools that were believed to have been used in the robbery were also found," he said.

When presented with the evidence, the gang members, who were identified as M.M., W.M., A.A. and V.F., confessed to the charges.

They had tried to smuggle the stolen items out of the country by hiding them in boxes containing electric appliances.

A documentary on how the suspects broke into the shop was screened during the press conference.