Gang on trial in Dubai over Dh1million jewellery heist

Dubai - They robbed Dh1 million worth of jewelry, watches, valuables and cash in different currencies from a villa

A gang of seven is standing trial on the charge of robbing more than Dh1 million worth of jewelry, watches, valuables and cash in different currencies from a villa.
The accused, including 5 Colombians and 2 Sudanese, allegedly planned to rob villas while the residents were away. They watched for some time before targeting a Pakistani woman's villa in Jumeirah.
They had rented a flat and a car and arranged for what they needed to carry out the heist on the night of June 28, 2015.
They are being charged in the Court of First Instance with robbery at night with the use of force, trespass, and damage of private property.
They allegedly damaged doors, windows and the bedroom closet inside the villa when they broke into it.
All the defendants (jobless) are being placed in detention.
The villa's owner, a Pakistani housewife, 43, said she identified her jewelry among the items recovered from the thieves.
She claimed they stole a safe in which she and her husband kept diamond and golden rings and necklaces and an expensive watch. The safe also contained cash and important documents.
The housewife's American daughter-in-law, 34, said she learnt about the theft at around 6.40am on June 28. "I heard the burglars enter through a window. They then broke the bedroom's door and aimed for the safe."
A police sergeant quoted one of the Sudanese accused as admitting to have taken the Colombians to a store in Ajman where they bought sharp tools, gloves and other tools. They downloaded the GPS application on their rented car's system so that to locate the villas they should target.
The stolen valuables were estimated at Dh1,055,000.
A verdict is expected on June 13.
mary@khaleejtimes.com