Saudi Arabia: Handbag-snatching gang busted in Riyadh

Abu Dhabi: Nine men from a motorbike gang have been arrested following a spate of thefts in the Saudi capital Riyadh, police said.

The suspects – two Saudis and seven Yemenis – followed market shoppers on streets and snatched their bags or picked their pockets, according to police.

Police investigators hunted down the men and arrested them, seizing 33,000 riyals and numerous stolen bags.

The arrests were prompted by footage posted on social media that showed a Saudi man having his pocket picked.

The suspects were referred to public prosecution for further investigation and trial, police said.