JEDDAH, 4 September 2006 — An African youth mugged a Saudi woman taking her handbag and cell phone as she sat waiting for her husband in a car outside a mosque in the Faisaliah neighborhood of Jeddah on Friday, reported the Al-Watan newspaper. The woman’s husband had gone into the mosque to offer his prayers when the thief opened the car door and violently snatched the woman’s cell phone as she was talking. The woman tried pushing the mugger away and screamed but no one came to her aid as people were in the mosque praying.

Makkah Police Arrest Car Arsonist

MAKKAH, 4 September 2006 — A youth was arrested in the Rasifa district for setting fire to a car in the Al-Sabitha area of Makkah, reported a local newspaper. Police were called to the scene of the fire and soon arrested the youth, who admitted committing the crime. The youth said he was promised SR900 by a Saudi man if he put the car on fire, reported Al-Watan.

Family Falls Ill Due to Faulty Car AC

TAIF, 4 September 2006 — Twelve members of a Saudi family were admitted to hospital after suffering breathing difficulties due to a faulty car air-conditioner while driving on the road to Jabal Kara. The driver stopped the family sedan when he began suffering breathing difficulties and opened the windows. By that time the children had fallen unconscious. The driver immediately called the Red Crescent who took the group to a hospital in Taif. Though their condition is not critical the family is being kept in intensive care, reported Al-Jazirah newspaper.

Saudi Found Dead in Horrific State

TURAIF, 4 September 2006 — A Saudi man was found murdered in terrible circumstances at his home in Turaif, a town on the Saudi-Jordanian border. The man was found to have been beaten with a heavy object, perhaps an iron bar or a hammer, and had also been shot with a gun in the lower part of his body. Police say it is possible that the assailant(s) may have come from across the border, reported Al-Riyadh newspaper.

Expatriate Dies Arguing at Public Park

TAIF, 4 September 2006 — An Arab expatriate died following an argument with a Saudi man in a public park in Hada on Friday. The two men had arrived separately at the park with their families and soon a high-pitched quarrel took place between the men after their children began fighting over toys. During the argument the Arab expatriate fell on the ground and died. According to the police there were no indications the man had been stabbed, hit or shot, reported Al-Watan.

Thai Gambling Syndicate Busted

NAJRAN, 4 September 2006 — A Thai worker was arrested by members of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice at the Faisaliya Center in Najran for running a Saudi branch of a Thailand-based gambling syndicate. According to an official source the man, an electrician, was head of gambling operations among Thai expatriates. Officials found SR6,700 in cash with the man.