Visitor caught fleeing with jewellery

A Georgian man on a visit visa, was arrested at the Dubai International Airport, while trying to flee with Dh320,000 worth of stolen jewellery, a court heard on Thursday.

The 34-year-old man was arrested in June with the jewellery hidden in his bicycle.

He was charged with forced robbery at night by the Court of First Instance. According to prosecution records, the accused together with other suspects at large, broke into an empty flat in Rafaa and robbed it using sharp tools.

A police officer who quizzed the defendant said he admitted to having planned and executed the heist and confessed that he and his accomplices had robbed several other flats.

He admitted to having committed many robberies including this one, with two others at large. They would rent a car and drive around buildings, he said.

After picking one building which they found ideal to rob, they would break open locks after making sure the occupants were away. This they made sure after knocking and ringing the bell many times.

In this case, they robbed jewellery, including gold plates, earrings, necklaces, watches, and bracelets kept in a locked handbag in a locked room. They also robbed another flat in the same building in a similar way.

The accused hid the jewellery in his place for six days and then handed part of it to his accomplices who were leaving for Georgia. They sold the jewellery there and sent him his share of the money which was $900. Part of the jewellery was recovered from him as he was trying to flee through the airport.

mary@khaleejtimes.com