Middle East

Visitor gets three-year jail term for Dh3.23m villa burglary

Defendant and two fugitives stole cash and valuables while villa owner was away on holiday

Dubai: A visitor has been jailed for three years for forcing his way into a villa with two others and stealing Dh3.23 million in cash, jewellery and other valuables.

An Indian businessman was abroad on a holiday when his employee called him up and informed him about a theft in his villa at Palm Jumeirah.

On-site police investigation showed that some persons had forced their way into the villa using hard tools and stole the cash and valuables.

Further investigation revealed the involvement of three Chinese visitors before police arrested one of them, a 38-year-old visitor, while airport records confirmed that the other two had left Dubai.

The Dubai Court of First Instance convicted the defendant of using a crowbar and a screwdriver, breaking into the villa with the two runaways and stealing cash and items worth Dh3.23 million.

Records said the culprits stole 22 wristwatches worth Dh1.4 million, Dh300,000 worth of diamond and gold items, Dh35,000 worth of valuables pens and Dh1.5 million in cash.

According to the primary ruling, the accused, who pleaded not guilty, will be deported after serving his punishment.

The businessman said he was in his hometown when his employee notified him over the phone that his villa had been robbed.

He also mentioned that the culprits broke the CCTV cameras and two broke open safes that were in his bedroom.

A policeman testified that upon arresting the defendant, he alleged that he and his countrymen took a taxi and headed to Palm Jumeirah.

“Then, the fugitives climbed over the villas fence and broke open the door. They entered the premises and stole the cash and valuables from the bedroom. He said his share in the heist was Dh100,000 that he wired to his family … and sent the rest in cash with the two fugitives,” said the policeman.

The primary ruling remains subject to appeal.

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