Cleaner stole Paris Hilton watches

A cleaner confesses to stealing accessories, watches, perfumes and make-up worth almost Dh62,000 during a two-week spree at Burjuman shopping mall.

DUBAI // A cleaner confessed yesterday to stealing accessories, watches, perfumes and make-up worth almost Dh62,000 (US$16,890) during a two-week spree at Burjuman shopping mall last year. The defendant, LM, worked at the Paris Gallery outlet at Burjuman Centre for Al Fajr security and maintenance services. According to prosecutors, he was suspected because he had access to the keys for the display cabinets.

He was accused of working with another cleaner, who was sentenced earlier to six months in jail on another case, and a third suspect who is not in custody. The assistant manager of Paris Gallery reported the incident after a regular audit of the shop's merchandise found several Paris Hilton-brand watches missing. The store said missing items included accessories worth Dh28,912, watches worth Dh15,813 and perfumes and cosmetics worth Dh17,980.

A review of closed circuit cameras at the store revealed the three suspects began stealing items on July 29 of last year until they were arrested on August 9, prosecutors said. LM, 25, confessed yesterday in court. The verdict and sentence will be announced on October 6. [e-mail]