Picture used for illustrative purpose only.

A gang of five Asians stole Dhs660,000 from a mobile phone shop owner, assaulting him and restricting his movement.

The Criminal Court in Dubai sentenced three of them to three years in prison, while the other two, who are still at large, received the same penalty in absentia. All convicts were jointly fined for the offence, as they will be deported after serving their sentence, the Court ordered.

The verdict was upheld by the Court of Appeal as well.

In January last year, a mobile shop’s owner reported being assaulted and robbed at his residence in the Fareej Al Marr area of Dubai.

During the investigation, he stated that a mobile phone repair technician had visited his home on the day of the incident. After a while, the technician left to get lunch at a nearby restaurant.

The shop’s owner was taken aback when the labourer (the first defendant) left, three individuals entered the house with the assistance of the first defendant, and violently assaulted him.

They restrained him using a plastic sticker and deactivated the CCTV cameras within the house.

They demanded access to a money safe and the shop owner refused, but later, he complied after being subjected to further assault. They stole Dhs660,000 and fled the house, the told the police.

Investigators collected evidence and analysed footage of surveillance cameras near the house, which led to the identification of four defendants and an accomplice outside the building.

As a result of their diligent work, three of the defendants were successfully apprehended with part of the stolen money.

The first defendant admitted planning to rob the shop owner where he worked with others. He claimed the shop owner kept money in a safe at his home. On the day of the incident, he connived with the other defendants to assist in the crime.

The first defendant stated that he visited the store owner to ensure that no one else was inside the house. He then opened the door for the other defendants who were waiting for a WhatsApp message to proceed to the apartment. Once there, they assaulted the owner, forced him to open the safe, and stole Dhs660,000.

The second and third defendants admitted that the money found in their possession was part of the stolen money. As a result, the court convicted and sentenced them as previously mentioned.