Police arrest man targeting cars during Taraweeh prayer in Umm Al Quwain

Umm Al Quwain Police arrested Thursday night a gulf nationality man after money and other valuables items were stolen from cars in Umm Al Quwain while their owners performed Taraweeh prayer.

Lieutenant Colonel Hameed Mattar bin Ajil, Acting Director of Police Operations at Umm Al Quwain police said Thursday.

The suspect allegedly broke the triangle glass, and then opened the car door to steal valuable items.

He chose Taraweeh prayer time, Lieutenant Colonel Bin Ajil said.

Police have appealed to vehicle owners not to leave valuables visible inside cars.

Lieutenant Colonel Bin Ajil said that police patrols were deployed near all mosques in Umm Al Quwain  after car owners lodged complaints that their money, jewellery and other valuable items were stolen from cars while they were performing Taraweeh prayer.

The incidents had happened only During the Holy month of Ramadan, he said.

Lieutenant Colonel Bin Ajil said the suspect made sure no one noticed him while he committed his crime.

However Major Salim Ali Halis, Head of the criminal investigations department at Umm Al Quwain police, said that the 30-year-old suspect belonged to gulf nationality and already had a criminal record.

He had stolen before and been deported from UAE but he had re-entered the country illegally, Major Salim Ali Halis said.

The incidents happened in different locations across the Emirate during the holy month but especially during Taraweeh prayer.

Police said they made the arrest after catching the suspect in the act of stealing.

Police allege they found money and other valuable items in his possession at the time of the arrest in addition to sharps tools used to carry out the crime.

After his arrest, police said the suspect confessed and explained to police how he stole the money from cars.

The suspect was using Taraweeh time for evil things without respect for the holy month, Major Halis said.

The case has been referred to public prosecution.