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Teens, visitors found stealing at mosques

Ajman Police intensify patrols near mosques following KT report.

Ajman - Following a report published by Khaleej Times, on thefts during Taraweeh prayers, the Ajman Police carried out intensified inspection campaigns around mosques to arrest the culprits.
The thieves caught were found to be mostly teenagers or visitors who come from other countries with the sole purpose of begging and stealing, a top official said.
Col Abdullah Saif Al Matrosushi, Director of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at the Ajman Police, said the thieves exploit the fact that the worshippers will be busy offering taraweeh prayers during the holy month of Ramadan - these are usually longer than the normal prayers. Taking advantage of this, thieves steal shoes from outside mosques, as well as mobile phones, wallets and other valuables items from cars parked near the mosques.
Explaining the modus operandi of the thieves, he said the culprits break the triangle glass of the car's back seat and then open the lock of the car from inside and steal the valuables. Many of them were arrested red-handed by police patrols deployed in the area during the inspection campaign.
The Ajman Police also spread awareness among worshippers warning them not to keep valuable items in their cars and lock their vehicles properly before heading to the mosques. Al Matrosushi stressed that the police will not tolerate those who exploit the holy month,disturb and cause inconvenience to worshippers during the prayers.
Some worshippers also encourage these thefts by their negligence, as they leave their car's unlocked with items inside and also wear expensive shoes to offer prayers.
Police have also distributed pamphlets in English and Arabic warning worshipers of thefts at taraweeh prayers and advices them to be cautious. Calls have been made in Arabic, Hindi and English language through Ajman Radio, TV and social media to curb such kind of crimes. afkarali@khaleejtimes.com

• Shoe thefts at mosques 'distract' worshippers

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