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Gang of six who rob bank customers held

The Sharjah Police on Tuesday arrested a gang of six persons who allegedly stole an undisclosed amount of money in a spate of robberies near banks.

A police officer said in one instance, the gang robbed a company representative of Dh138,865 he had just withdrawn from a bank located in one of the industrial areas in Sharjah.

The suspects, all Afghans, would carry out surveillance in commercial and industrial areas and watch for people who withdraw large amounts of cash. “The gang would then split. Two or three of them would wait on the street, while the others would go inside the banks. When they spot a bank customer with cash, they would signal to their accomplices who would pour a chemical liquid over the targeted victim’s car tyres,” said the officer.

“Once the victim entered his/her vehicle and placed the cash on the passenger seat or dash board, one of the suspects would knock on the vehicle window and point out that there was a problem with the tyre.

“If the victim got out to inspect the tyre and was distracted talking with the suspect, one of the accomplices would snatch the cash and enter a taxi parked nearby and flee.”

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) laid a trap and was able to arrest four of them.

During interrogation, they confessed that they carried out the robberies with two accomplices and would divide the cash among themselves, before sending the money to their families in Afghanistan.

The police have warned residents against withdrawing large amounts of cash unaccompanied and urged them to be vigilant of their surroundings, in addition to be careful to keep the withdrawn cash in a safe place inside their vehicle.

afkarali@khaleejtimes.com