3 million Saudi riyals robbed in attack

Hamza M Sengendo, Staff Reporter

Five men chilli-sprayed a trader and decamped with 3 million Saudi Riyals, the Dubai Criminal Court heard on Tuesday.

The unemployed Asian defendant, 34, his colleague, 31, and a countryman, 43, were sued on suspicion that they with the help of two fugitive accomplices committed the highway robbery on June 27, as per records.

The trader was returning inside his truck after answering the call of nature when the defendant, colleague and fugitives pounced on him and sprayed the irritating solution in his eyes. They snatched the money.

Prosecutors explained that the countryman did not take part in attacking and robbing the victim. However, he handled some Dhs404, 015 while aware it was part of the stolen money, the explained.

The incident happened in the Dubai Investment Park at round 4am on June 27, according to the victim’s complaint at the Jebel Ali Police Station. The Dubai Criminal Court set Nov.3 for the next hearing. In prosecution records, an Emirati police lieutenant narrated that he and a police team rushed the scene upon a tipoff that the trader was mugged. “He told us he had pulled over on the roadside to ease himself.

“He went to a nearby sandy area. Thereafter, he returned inside the truck. Before he could shut the door and drive away, two men seized it and sprayed an irritating substance in his eyes. He supposed it was chilli.”

They snatched the money that he had stashed under a rear seat and fled. He tried and failed to chase them. A source disclosed the identity of the defendant and his colleague. Police arrested them on Jul.16. Both revealed they committed the robbery with two fugitives and kept their shares with the countryman. Police arrested him in the International City’s Chinese Cluster and seized Dhs404, 015 inside his flat.

He revealed both defendants gave it to him and told him it resulted from the robbery. They told him they were travelling abroad and asked him to wire it to them soon. An Emirati corporal gave a similar account.