Trio robbed Dh8,000 from flat, court hears

dubai — Three Egyptians, who allegedly stormed a shared flat and robbed the residents of Dh8,000, watches and mobile phones, stood trial at the Dubai Court of First Instance.

The three men, including two clerks and a jobless — aged 27 and 29 — were charged with robbery for the incident that dates back to December 30, 2015, in Al Muraqqabat.

They allegedly slapped the complainants and used sticks before they made away with Dh8,000 in cash, cellphones and other valuables.

One of the Vietnamese residents, 26, said he shared the flat in Al Baraha with two men and four women, all Vietnamese. “I was sleeping when I heard a knock on the door after midnight. It was an Egyptian man who knew a female flatmate. The man went out few minutes later and then came back with two others. They started taking mobile phones and cash by force.”

After the women screamed for help, Vietnamese neighbours came in, which prompted the thieves to break a window and run away, the resident said.

The defendants were caught by the cops after the security guard called the police.

However, the trio had a different account of what happened that night.

A police sergeant told the prosecutor they were alerted at 3.30am about the robbery. “When we reached the scene, we found the suspects arrested and inside a police patrol car. One of them was seriously injured in his shoulder and was bleeding profusely while his accomplice had a minor injury. They were taken to hospital.”

The officer added: “They claimed one of them had gone to that flat to get massage but he sought their help (his friends) later after he lost his mobile phone and Dh100. The accused claimed they were assaulted with swords by several Asian people at that flat.”

The three will be sentenced on September 30.

The man (defendant) went out and then came back with two others. They started taking mobile phones and cash.” Complainant