Woman robs 'massage' client, falls to death trying to escape Dubai cops

Dubai - She was part of a gang who held the man in a hotel apartment

A woman, who was part of a group that was holding a man against his will in a hotel apartment, fell to her death while trying to escape a police raid, the Dubai Court of First Instance has heard.
Public prosecution records show that a gang of three women and three men lured a British man through a fake female's account on social media offering massage services.
The group (in the age group 22-37) booked a hotel apartment and led the man to their location. However, they all cornered him there, tied him up and robbed him of his cash (Dh 1,800) and mobile phone.
The case dates back to November 7 last year, and was registered at Al Barsha police station. All the five people are detained.
A police sergeant said he and a colleague were on a routine patrol duty in Al Barsha when they spotted police cars and two ambulance vehicles outside a building. "At the same time, we received a call from the operation room about an incident of assault on police officers and a fall from a building. We went upstairs and talked to a police officer who was then holding an ice bag to his face."
The police sergeant, who was already on the scene, had responded to a call made by an Indian man. The latter had seen an ad on his friend's mobile phone that offered massage services. The man quickly identified the phone number in the ad as belonging to the gang that had lured him to a hotel apartment and robbed him of his mobile phone.
The Indian man, who did not report the incident then, called the police this time and led them to the apartment of the group.
The same sergeant, who was assaulted, told the public prosecution investigator: "We went to check the place after the call. We had a security guard ring the bell. The witness (the Indian man) identified the suspect who opened the door as one of the group members who previously robbed him in Al Rafaa. The suspect assaulted us while resisting arrest. He punched me in the right eye. Other suspects tried to flee but one of them fell to her death. Her accomplices were found hiding in the balcony of another flat and were caught." 
The police rescued the British man, who was found locked up and tied in the bathroom of the apartment, booked by the group. 
Another defendant suffered major fractures and called for help after he could not take the pain anymore. He was found hiding in the basement few hours later. 
The trial has been adjourned to September 24.
mary@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai