A European national described by officials as a ‘professional’ and prolific thief was arrested by Dubai Police less than an hour after robbing an apartment in City Walk while dressed in an abaya, according to police.
Dubai Police said the man – who is suspected of being involved with other break-ins across the Gulf – used corrosive chemicals and equipment purchased locally for the robbery, in which he reportedly took approximately AED 3 million.
The victim was a French-speaking “merchant” who was not in the UAE at the time. The suspect had allegedly been tipped-off that that victim kept large amounts of cash and luxury items in a large safe at the apartment.
The suspect could have attempted to steal more than the AED3m he took, but was unable to carry more of the AED10m that was in the safe, as his bag was not large enough.
Video released by Dubai Police shows the suspect’s movements across the city as he arrived in Dubai and checks into a hotel in Deira’s Naif area.
He is later seen dressed as a woman and carrying a suitcase when he heads to the apartment on City Walk.
General Jamal Salem Al Jalaf, the director of the general directorate of criminal investigations, was quoted by the National as saying that the suspect was caught shortly after hopping into a taxi near City Walk.
“It only took 47 minutes to arrest him after his crime,” he said.
The case has been handed over to Dubai Public Prosecution.
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