Jewels worth Dh11 million and gold weighing 16 kg were stolen in two separate incidents in Dubai, even as Dubai Police arrested a gang allegedly involved in the first robbery.
The suspects, seven Asians who are all on visit visas, rented a shop next to a jewellery shop in International City and stole jewels after making a hole in the connecting wall, Khaleej Times reported, quoting a police officer.
However, one of the suspects who was identified by the police through CCTV footage was arrested in another emirate within 24 hours of the robbery.
The rest of the gang were also picked up a few hours later, but the alleged mastermind behind the heist is said to be in the jail of a GCC country.
Brigadier Khalil Ibrahim Al Mansouri, Director of the General Department of Criminal Investigation, said that the gang had rented a store behind the jewellery shop. They said the gang used iron rods and other tools to make a hole in the wall and entered the shop, but were caught on surveillance cameras.
They confessed that the plot was hatched by the Asian suspect months ago in coordination with them, Al Mansouri said. More details of the robbery and the subsequent arrests would be announced later, the official said.
Police also launched an investigation into the second robbery which took place at a shop in Gold Souq Deira.
The two daring acts of crime reminds one of Dubai’s biggest recent heist, when in April 2007 an international gang of robbers known as the ‘Pink Panthers’ brazenly drove two limousines into Wafi City, smashed the front window of a store and escaped with jewellery and watches worth approximately Dh54 million.
The gang was identified by Dubai and was reported to involved in other robberies in Europe. Interpol warrants were issued following the incident but no arrest has been reported so far.