JEDDAH, 18 October 2006 — In the aftermath of 18 burglaries across Jeddah, local police smashed a gang of six thieves who had sporadically robbed large companies, shops, recreational resorts and car rental offices across the city.
The six-member gang of non-Saudi Arabs had developed a notorious reputation among police and was known to mainly steal money and furniture. Their reputation soon led to the Safa District police accumulating evidence and monitoring the gang’s activities.
Capt. Mohammad Al-Qahtani together with Lt. Col. Jameel and Col. Deheem Al-Sheiban led a police team in maintaining a major surveillance operation of the gang that finally led to their arrest.
“The gang would drive around in a rented car. They wouldn’t carry any official papers to ensure police patrols would not stop them at checkpoints,” said Al-Qahtani, alluding that the gang would pretend to be Saudis. “Their fingerprints, found at various crime scenes, led to their identification. Once identified, their homes were placed under strict surveillance,” he added.
Police authorities also revealed that they have been successful in netting a huge number of expatriates involved in illegal activities during the holy month of Ramadan. Many of the foreigners caught had been involved in crimes such as bootlegging and black magic.
Local police, under the supervision of chief of Jeddah police Brig. Mesfer Al-Zuhamy, have intensified their raids in collaboration with other involved sectors on suspected criminals. According to police, violators are transferred to the General Passport Department where their cases are thoroughly investigated after which criminals are sentenced.
Meanwhile, various governmental sectors — in coordination with private sectors — held numerous seminars addressing ways to detect theft and its effect on society and people. It is found that much of the money made by criminals is usually transferred abroad.
