JEDDAH: A gang of nine Saudis has been arrested in Riyadh for allegedly threatening citizens and residents with weapons and robbing them of their cars.

The suspects later sold the vehicles at cheaper prices to gullible customers, Riyadh police were quoted as saying by local media on Sunday, adding that the gang members have confessed to the crime.

The police swung into action after a number of its departments in northern Riyadh received complaints from people.

The vigilance operation was intensified and the first arrest was made at a security checkpoint, after a jeep tried to flee. Police patrols gave a chase to the vehicle and stopped it. The man at the wheel and four of his accomplices were arrested. Their interrogation led to the arrest of the rest of the gang.