Gang rob Dh400,000 from cash transporting van in UAE, arrested

Abu Dhabi - The men assaulted money exchange employees and guards

A gang of African men suspected of robbing Dh400,000 from a van transferring cash from a money exchange office in Al Ain has been detained.
The Abu Dhabi Police on Saturday said that the four African men were arrested after investigations showed that they stole the money from the van at the money exchange office in Al Ain's industrial area after assaulting the security guards in the vehicle.
Police said they recovered a bag containing Dh400,000 - which the men had stolen from the van that belonged to the exchange office.
Brigadier Mohammad Suhail Al Rashdi, Director at Al Ain Police Directorate, said, the Falaj Hazza police station received a report that some unidentified persons who attacked employees of a money exchange office as they were leaving the exchange shop in the industrial area.
The robbers targeted the vehicle carrying the cash while it was still at the money exchange shop.
The officer said a team of police officers was immediately sent to scene to begin the investigation.
The policemen carried out the search and found out that the employees of the money transfer company had been attacked by the men during a scuffle as they shown strong resistance to the gang.
The men guarding the van were also injured during the scuffle with the African gang.
Police said the suspects confessed to their crime after being arrested.
Al Rashdi said the suspects had planned the robbery and had monitored the movement of the van before executing the robbery.
All the men have been referred to public prosecution.
The officer has urged companies transferring money to take extra caution and to be vigilant. Money transfer companies have also been told to follow security and safety measures.
ismail@khaleejtimes.com

• Abu Dhabi