Moving violation of stolen bulldozers

Two cases of bulldozer theft have highlighted the unusual targets of some criminals, and the efficiency of the authorities in tackling crime.

Psst ... want to buy a bulldozer with low mileage, one careful owner and no questions asked? If you think there is no black market for bulldozers in the UAE, think again. Two cases have recently been brought before the courts – one in Abu Dhabi and one in Dubai – both involving stolen earthmoving equipment and both foiled by police with the cooperation of concerned citizens.

With the amount of construction taking place in the booming Emirates, it probably makes sense to the criminal mind that somebody might be interested in a bulldozer of dubious provenance.

However, some other stolen items that have come to the attention of the UAE courts in recent months might take a little more explaining: such as electrical cables, bed sheets, curtains, kitchen utensils, birth-control pills, make-up and lingerie.

And in Dubai last year, a Saudi visitor returned to his parked car to find thieves had removed one of the back doors from the vehicle. Nothing else was missing, and the bad guys left their tools behind.

The good news, of course, is that the UAE has a relatively low crime rate, and the authorities have a commendable track record in reuniting people and their property, no matter how unusual it may be.