Armed robbers in Dh3.6m heist get three years

Gang threatened money exchange workers with knife

DUBAI // Six men were sentenced to three years in prison each for stealing Dh3.6 million from two exchange house employees at knifepoint.

The defendants – four from Cameroon and two from Mali, aged between 29 and 38 – contacted an employee at the exchange house in Al Muraqqabat on February 15 and asked to change US$1 million (Dh3.673m) into dirhams. “Very few customers would approach us with this big amount,” said an Indian em- ployee, 30. “At the time we didn’t have the amount ready at the exchange house.” The employee then made calls to arrange for the equivalent amount in dirhams to be delivered. He and a friend met the defendants in a hotel room where one of them took out money from a bag.

“When he reached inside the bag again I was expecting another money pack but, to my surprise, he took out a knife,” the Indian said.

The defendants threatened the two men with the knife, then used tape to gag and tie them up before eacaping with the money and the victims’ mobile phones. The men managed to free themselves and called police from the hotel room.

Police identified the man who drove the six defendants to the hotel. He was arrested with Dh56,000 in his possession and is awaiting sentencing. He helped police to arrest another defendant, who was caught with Dh21,000. Two other men were arrested in Al Ain on February 21 in possession of almost Dh100,000. The rest of the gang were arrested later the same day.

At Dubai Criminal Court two of the defendants admitted to an armed robbery charge, while two denied a charge of possessing stolen money. Two others were sentenced in their absence. They will all be deported after serving their prison terms.

‘ When he reached inside the bag again I was expecting another money pack but, to my surprise, he took out a knife Exchange house employee