Europe, US, then Pink Panthers hit Wafi… How Dubai cops busted gang

In a press conference on Monday, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, Major General Khamis Mattar Al Mazeina, thanked Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, for his confidence in Dubai Police and UAE security forces.
 
Al Mazeina also expressed his sincere gratitude to the Minster of the Interior for praising Dubai Police's efforts in the arrest of the fourth suspect and the brains behind the Wafi Centre heist, which dates back to 2007.
 
"All thanks to Sheikh Saif, for the support and diligent follow-up on the case," Al Mazeina said. "After eluding justice for eight years, we caught the fourth member of the Pink Panther gang as promised."

34-year old Serbian, Borko Ilincic, latest arrest in case. (Supplied)
 
Al Mazeina added that Lt. General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, Deputy Chairman of the Dubai Police and General Security, has dedicated special attention to maintaining the levels of security and safety achieved by the MoI in the quest to make the Dubai one of the best cities in the world in terms of safety and security.
 
"We at Dubai Police are proud of this unique achievement, and we shall maintain the highest levels of perseverance and commitment to crime prevention.

“Dubai Police are keen on fulfilling the UAE 2021 Vision to become one of the safest countries in the world," he added.
 
Al Maziena said, "In April 2007, a group of robbers brazenly drove two vehicles into the Wafi Centre, smashed the front window of the Graff store, and escaped with jewellery and watches worth approximately Dh15 million, stolen in less than a minute.

"Afterwards, the getaway cars were found burned out in the desert and the culprits simply vanished. The Pink Panthers had struck again."
 
Al Mazeina added, "Two suspects, both Serbian nationals, were apprehended within weeks of the robbery, while a third was captured last year in the Spanish city of Alcala de Henares. Nicola Milat, 33 a Serbian company proprietor, was sentenced to a 10-year jail term for aiding and abetting the robbery, and deported in 2013.
 
"The second suspect, Milan Mitlic, 52, a Serbian visitor, was set to walk free as the court acquitted him of the charge of possession of stolen items. The third, Martin Sofboda, was extradited to the UAE from The Netherlands."
 
Al Mazeina continued, "Meanwhile, Dragan Nikolic is serving a seven-year jail term in Liechtenstein where he has been since 2010 after being arrested in France in 2008. Similarly, after being arrested in Monaco and deported to Liechtenstein, Marinko Marick is serving time in jail until 2019.
 
"Dubai Police's CID received a fourth suspect on October 14, the 34-year old Serbian, Borko Ilincic, who was arrested early last year in Alcala de Henares.

“He was using a false name and fraudulent Bosnian passport.
 
"Meanwhile, Interpol Red Notices have been issued for Nicolas Zivkovic and Bojana Mitic as they are wanted for justice," Al Mazeina added.
 
Towards the end of the conference, Al Mazeina thanked the international community for their confidence in Dubai Police. Quoting Ronald K. Noble, the Interpol former Secretary-General, who said, "Interpol lauds Dubai Police work in unravelling the Pink Panther case.

“The Dubai Police investigation into the Wafi Centre heist has helped Interpol identify the methods of the international jewel thief gang, the Pink Panthers, which has carried out 90 daring robberies in Europe, the USA and Asia, including the Middle East, Serbia and Japan."

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