Some stolen cars, spare parts of cars and vehicles of different companies, as well as cash and forged documents of cars and workshops, were recovered from their possession after they were detained by the police following initial investigations here Wednesday.

“The incident began when police spotted one of them in a car that had been reported stolen,” said a spokesman of the Riyadh police.

The car was followed by a second car, reported stolen from the Rawda area, driven by a youth. Police stopped the first car and arrested a young man, which led to the arrest of five other accomplices in the gang.

“This gang of car thieves including five Africans, has been operating in the capital city for the last several years,” said the spokesman.

The gang enjoyed the support and patronage of some local Saudi and Arab expatriates, said the spokesman. After the arrests, a Syrian national named Omar El-Kabi was called by the police to identify his car that was stolen some three days back.

El-Kabi told Arab News that he had recovered his car in a badly damaged condition. “I estimate that more than SR4,000 will be required to repair my Toyota Camry, before I start driving the car again,” said El-Kabi.

In another incident, the Riyadh police arrested an African couple, who were involved in dealing with fake currency and forging official documents.

Both husband and wife were arrested after police received a tip-off about their activities.

Police recovered some SR300,000 in forged Saudi currency as well as expired documents and papers to make fake passports and ID cards. Both the suspects are reportedly overstayers using fake iqamas.