ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates - Tuesday, June 11th 2013 [ME NewsWire]
Abu Dhabi Police managed to apprehend an Asian gang nicknamed "Nocturnal Bandits” on Friday; the gang is specialized in stealing from private facilities at night.
Colonel Dr. Rashed Mohammed Borshid , Director of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at the Abu Dhabi Police, revealed that the five-member Asian gang was arrested, for breaking and entering private facilities in the Al Mafraq and Musaffah industrial areas in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and stealing valuables under cover of darkness. The gang members used their physical force to take the guards by surprise and tie them up, before disconnecting the surveillance cameras. He said: "The masked gang members, armed with knives, were able to steal cash, copper metals, and diesel totaling approximately AED 1.8 million.”
He added: "upon receiving several reports and calls regarding thefts at transportation, contracting, and electric switches manufacturing facilities over the past two months, a search and investigation team from the Organized Crime section was formed to follow-up the issue. The team’s diligent efforts soon led to the arrest of the suspects, in spite of the scarcity of information and the lack of details on the case, given that the gang members wore masks and gloves, and disconnected surveillance cameras.”
The Pakistani suspects, H.G., 30 years; T.N., 25 years; A.H., 28 years; B.O., 25 years; and N.R., 26 years, confessed to the police that they distributed roles during the theft operations. The able-bodied members would attack security guard at the facility after knocking on the door, while the fastest member sneaks inside and disconnect the surveillance cameras, before standing outside in look-up, while his accomplices carry out the robbery.
In their statement, the suspects said that they would knock on the facility’s door and hide, and then attack the guard as soon as he opens the door. They would then beat the guard up, take the keys of the safes and the warehouses at knifepoint, and eventually, locking him inside after stealing his personal belongings.
Colonel Borshid added: "The thieves used two different vehicles when fleeing the scene depending on the operation: a saloon car for cash-related thefts and a transport vehicle for transporting stolen copper metal and diesel barrels.”
"The gang members probably manage to achieve their goals because some companies hire unqualified guards, who are easily taken by surprise, threatened at knifepoint, and locked up, while the robbery takes place,” he explained.
Colonel Borshid noted that the gang members were working legally in the country; but they carried out robberies to make extra money. . By the time they were apprehended, they had managed to tie up and detain 11 security guards within the five facilities they attacked. Some of the guards were able to contact the police once they managed to break free, while others were discovered tied up on opening hours..
The Director of the Criminal Investigation Department at the Abu Dhabi Police emphasized that the police will be on the lookout for anyone who tries to compromise citizens’ security and steal their property. He called on facility owners to lock all doors and windows properly, urging them to take necessary precautions to protect their properties and avoid leaving cash at the premises. He also warned them against trusting all employees and informing them of the security measures undertaken at the facility or of the available valuables. "During interrogation, the suspects confessed to be well informed on where the cash, valuable material and equipment are kept. They also were aware of the gaps in the protection system, which made them an easy target for theft” ,” he explained.
Colonel Borshid underscored the need for large companies and facilities to hire specialized security companies, as well as train their own security personnel on the best means to handle emergencies. Concluding, he warned companies against relying on workers to guard their properties.
Photo caption:
Colonel Dr. Rashed Borshid
Graphic representing the theft scenario followed by the gang
Contacts
The UAE Minister of Interior's General Secretariat, Tactical Affairs and Security Media Department
Abu Dhabi Police GHQ
Chris Cron +971-(0)-50-908-5946
E-mail: cron.media@hotmail.com
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