DUBAI // A drunk salesman allegedly broke into a store and stole hundreds of phones and tablets valued at Dh1.8 million, a court heard.
Prosecutors said that Afghan NM, 29, was with two other men when he broke into an electronics store in Al Satwa and stole 750 mobile phones and tablets on December 28 last year.
Businessman RB told police that he locked the store at 11.15pm. “When I came the next day to open the shop, I found the lock broken and the window open.”
The 56-year-old store owner called police and reported the theft.
“iPhones, iPads, tablets and Samsung phones that were stacked on the shelves were all stolen,” he added.
Police tracked down NM and arrested him in the parking lot of Global Village.
“Two days before the robbery, I received a phone call from my friend, F, who told me that he wanted to rob the store.” NM told prosecutors.
On the day of the robbery, NM was drunk and was told to watch the area while F and another person, identified as BK, broke into the store.
“Once we fled the scene, the stolen items were kept with F and BK. They promised to give me my share after they sold the stolen items,” NM contented.
The Afghan told prosecutors he didn’t receive any money.
At the Dubai Criminal Court on Thursday, NM entered a plea of not guilty to charges of robbery and destruction of property.
A verdict is expected on June 29.
tzriqat@thenational.ae
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Profile
Name: Carzaty
Founders: Marwan Chaar and Hassan Jaffar
Launched: 2017
Employees: 22
Based: Dubai and Muscat
Sector: Automobile retail
Funding to date: $5.5 million
The specs: 2018 Ford F-150
Price, base / as tested: Dh173,250 / Dh178,500
Engine: 5.0-litre V8
Power: 395hp @ 5,000rpm
Torque: 555Nm @ 2,750rpm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 12.4L / 100km
UAE - India ties
The UAE is India’s third-largest trade partner after the US and China
Annual bilateral trade between India and the UAE has crossed US$ 60 billion
The UAE is the fourth-largest exporter of crude oil for India
Indians comprise the largest community with 3.3 million residents in the UAE
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi first visited the UAE in August 2015
His visit on August 23-24 will be the third in four years
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, visited India in February 2016
Sheikh Mohamed was the chief guest at India’s Republic Day celebrations in January 2017
Modi will visit Bahrain on August 24-25
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
The details
Heard It in a Past Life
Maggie Rogers
(Capital Records)
3/5
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
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