Bank thieves made 11 robbery attempts, but failed
Increase in the level of public awareness stopped two African suspects from succeeding in their mission to rob bank customers, a top Dubai CID official said.
Brigadier Khalil Al Mansouri, Head of Dubai Police CID Department, said that two African entered the country as visitors on October 1, and they were arrested just ten days later.
However, not before they tried to rob 11 people. Each time they were spotted, but they failed the targets did not leave the cash in their cars.
"We have secret patrols outside all banks and money exchange firms. Their duty is to monitor suspects who monitor the banks or their clients. On October 1, the gang of two Africans arrived and rented a car. They went to Deira and Al Rafaa areas in Dubai and waited outside the banks. One of them would stay inside the car while the other one would go in to the cash area and monitor those who withdrew large amounts of cash. Then, they used to follow these customers.
"Our patrols wrote down their car number, and found out that this car was monitoring other banks in the same area and other areas. Thus, we started monitoring them."
Brigadier Al Mansouri added: "They tried to rob clients and followed them. However, all the clients were too smart. They did not leave the cash in their cars. They would take the cash envelops or the bags with them whenever they got out of their cars. This made the gang give up and they returned to the bank areas and started their monitoring and following another client."
"I am very happy with this. It shows that the level of awareness among the public is very high. It is not like before."
He pointed out that on October 11, police got approval from the Public Prosecution to arrest these suspects.
"When we arrested them, we found pair of gloves, and a special glass cutter which cuts the glass without making any noise. We also found a screw driver which is used to open the front safe in the car."
He added that they referred them to the Public Prosecution for further investigations.