Muscat: Three Asian thieves have received 90-year jail terms in Dhofar region, according to a Royal Oman Police (ROP) press release.

“Eight accused, mostly of Asian nationalities, were arrested following a spat of thefts in Awqad and Saadah areas of Salalah,” Colonel Musalam Al Junaibi, Dhofar Police Chief, said in a statement released by the ROP’s Public Relations Department.

Col Al Junaibi added that three of the eight confessed to their crime and have been sent behind bars for 90 years. “The three have been convicted for 10 theft charges but there are 11 more theft cases pending against them,” he pointed out.

The increasing cases of thefts in the southern region of Oman had become a much discussed topic on social media platforms and local forums. “625 thefts have been registered with the police from January, 2012 till the end of May this year,” confirmed Col Al Junaibi.

He added that the most of the thefts had taken place at private schools, houses and vehicles. “The stolen items included electric cables and other goods,” he revealed.

According to the police chief ten more accused have been arrested and have been found in possession of stolen goods. “We are investigating further to recover stolen goods,” he said, adding that the police were on the lookout for a prime suspect, who is accused of stealing cables from buildings under construction.

The other accused would be tried in court after completion of investigations.