'Drug addict' tries to run over Dubai cop to avoid arrest

Dubai - An anti-narcotics police lieutenant said they were tipped off about the defendant who was staying at a hotel.

A 29-year-old man has been charged at the Dubai Court of First Instance after he tried to run over a police officer to evade arrest.

Public prosecution records show that the incident happened on February 4. The 29-year-old GCC national - said to be a drug addict - "intentionally" tried to run over a police officer. He also allegedly put police officers' lives at risk when he intentionally drove his vehicle into their patrol car. He is also accused of damaging property belonging to a government entity.

A case was registered at Al Barsha police station.

An anti-narcotics police lieutenant said they were tipped off about the defendant who was staying at a hotel. "Our information was that he was with another suspect. They used drugs and possessed a quantity to peddle among others for money. "We went to the hotel with a public prosecution warrant. We spotted the defendant with another suspect in a 4WD. When the other suspect stepped out, the defendant tried to drive away as I was standing next to his vehicle, holding on to the front door."

The lieutenant told the investigator that an unmarked police car blocked the way to prevent the accused from fleeing. "Even after I told him that they were police officers, the accused sped in their direction. He intentionally hit their car while trying to flee."

The defendant fled the scene. "We believe that he had drugs in his car at the time so he did not want to get caught. We alerted the operations room and a warrant was issued to take the necessary legal action."

The accused was later arrested and he remains in detention pending his trial that has been adjourned to October 5.

mary@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai