Muscat: The Royal Oman Police (ROP) have arrested nine Pakistani nationals on charges of armed robbery, according to a ROP press release on Saturday.

"The gang of nine has looted a jewellery workshop in Muttrah area by threatening the staff with knives," said Lieutenant Colonel Abdul Rahim Bin Qasim Al Farsi, Director at the Directorate General of Inquiries and Criminal Investigations (DGICI).

The police station in Muttrah received the call from the workshop after the accused had escaped with over kilogramme of gold. The police officer said unfortunately the workshop neither had surveillance cameras nor alarm system, making the task of investigating officer tough.

The case was immediately transferred to the DGICI with the identity of the accused. "Based on the description given by the workers we tracked down three of the accused," he said, adding that the robbers were in possession of some of the stolen gold and cash when they were caught.

He revealed that the other accused were caught about 250-kilometres north to Muscat from the coastal areas of Batinah when they were trying to escape out of the country through the sea route. "When we caught the rest in Shinaz area, they were all in possession of stolen gold and cash," said Lt. Col. Al Farsi.

The senior police officers said that three of the nine suspects had entered the country illegally. The long and open Batinah coast is vulnerable and often used by human traffickers to smuggle in illegal immigrants into Oman.

He praised the cooperation of the citizens and residents in the local areas that helped the investigating teams to apprehend the accused.

"The cooperation between the public and investigating agencies are vital to crack such cases," he added.

Lt. Col. Al Farsi urged all residents to report any suspicious activities in their area or movement of vessels at sea by calling the emergency police number (9999) or approach the nearest police station. He also asked the owners of jewellery shops and workshops to install alarms and cameras to monitor the place.

The accused face prison term of ten to 15 years according to the provisions under the Omani Penal Code's Article (284).