JEDDAH: When disaster strikes, the authorities are busy with the rescue mission and getting life back to normal. At such times, thieves have a golden opportunity — and they generally take advantage of it. Residents of flood-ravaged areas of Jeddah said there were many cases of theft and of thieves stealing cars or car parts.
“Many parts of my Toyota Camry were stolen,” said Burhanudeen, a Burmese resident of Kilo 14, off Makkah Road. He said it was sad at such times when people should come together to help one other, some people turn to crime.
“Of course there is no way that I will contact police about this theft. My car is partially damaged and the thieves stole what was not damaged, such as headlights and engine parts,” said Burhanudeen.
Another resident in the same area said his tires had been stolen. He said two family cars that were partly damaged had been dragged inside the walls of the house for protection. He said he and his brothers take turns guarding the house and protecting their property.
Ahmad Sultan called for a heavy police presence in the area. He said, “We do not have any police presence here to keep the peace. Some of us have volunteered to guard the neighborhood from thieves as we have to rely on ourselves. We know that the authorities are busy but we need to see rescue teams here as soon as possible because our area has been badly hit.”
A Saudi resident in Quwaizah, Salem Al-Thubaiti, asked for members of the army to be present to help in the rescue operation.
“We need to save what can be saved. Our area was hit badly. I lost everything, including my official government documents,” Al-Thubaiti said. “I tried hard to get someone to help me with my car but there was no one available. I paid more than SR500 to retrieve my car that was swept away and found about a kilometer from my house. After I brought it back and parked in front of my house, it disappeared. Someone stole it and there are no police around to help us.”
Jeddah police announced on Wednesday more than 200 people were arrested for looting empty houses and abandoned cars in the flood-hit areas.
A police spokesman, Misfer Al-Juaid, said 209 individuals of varying nationalities, including Saudis, had been arrested and jailed, pending trial. They were caught looting empty houses and abandoned vehicles.
“A number of car parts with traces of flood water on them were found with the thieves. These parts were enough evidence of their crimes,” he said.
The spokesman revealed that many of the thieves were of African and Asian origin but among them were some young Saudis.
Al-Juaid said the looted items included automobile spare parts, furniture, gas cylinders and other items. “Even though most of the things had been ruined by water, they were not overlooked by the looters,” he added.
He said a number of looted items had been returned to their owners upon presentation of necessary proof. The spokesman said a number of police units and policemen in civilian clothes had been stationed in the affected areas watching for possible looters.
