JEDDAH, 30 January 2004 — A burglary at a private residence in the Al-Hamra district of Jeddah netted thieves around SR5 million in cash and jewelry. Twenty-one diamond sets totaling SR4 million and SR1 million in cash was stolen, Okaz newspaper reported yesterday. A group thieves broke into Hasan Mohammad Hilfawi’s house while the family was away on vacation.
The family safe was breached and its contents, consisting mainly of cash, diamond jewelry and traditional belts of pure gold, was rifled. The safe was found opened and empty lying on a mattress, used to dull the sounds of the drill and hand tools used by the gang, in a sitting room.
Police, headed by Jufain Al-Mutairi, rushed to the scene of the crime as soon as it was reported and took fingerprints and gathered what physical evidence remained.
A full investigation is under way and a number of detained suspects are said to be assisting police with their enquiries.
