‘Driver turned robber’ held, Dh7 million recovered

DUBAI - Easy cash and a quick getaway. It was that simple. But an Asian who drove off with $2 million entrusted to him by his employer was arrested in another emirate with the cash, thanks to some smart police work.

The driver was not sponsored by his employer and authorities had very little information about him. It was hard tracking him down, police officials said. Their persistence paid off when they found and arrested the driver-turned-robber in Fujairah on Saturday.

Brigadier Khalil Ibrahim Al Mansouri, Director of the General Department of Criminal Investigation, on Sunday said the Asian businessman had trusted the driver and left the money in the car, and the man simply drove away. Investigations showed the driver had sped to Abu Dhabi and later dumped the car in Dubai to shake the police off his trail.

Police set up 63 teams which covered all of Dubai and sent officials to Oman. They also kept watch on the borders with the armed forces, but were informed that the man was holed up in a house in Fujairah. The house was soon raided and the man and his two accomplices were arrested. Police said the cash had been converted to dirhams and Dh7 million was recovered from their possession.

Colonel Salem Al Rumaithi, Deputy Director of the General Department of Criminal Investigation, said the money was later returned to its owner.

Major General Al Mazeina, Deputy Commander in Chief of Dubai Police, lauded the CID teams and said the exchange house which converted the $2 million into dirhams should have informed the police when it came to such a large amount.

‘‘A circular had been sent to money exhanges which said conversion of large amounts of money should be done only after informing the police, but the exchange did not follow procedures,’’ he said. ‘‘We have informed concerned authorities to take legal action against the exchange house.’’

Lieutenant General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, Commander in Chief of the Dubai Police, also praised the CID teams for their swift response.

news@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE