DUBAI // Two men were jailed for one year each for robbing a car rental firm of almost Dh50,000 at the Criminal Court on Tuesday.
Rentals employee TA, 41, acquired copied keys to the company's door and gave them to 21-year-old Emirati RS, who stole Dh46,500.
In court, RS told presiding judge Maher Salameh that, when he was arrested, a policeman gave him TA's name and asked him to say that the fellow Emirati was his accomplice in the robbery.
"The policeman told me if I complied with his demand, he would get me out of this case," said RS.
However, TA was convicted of the same charge.
In court he said he had never seen RS in his life before. "I was arrested and tortured by police, who tried to force me to confess to a charge of robbery but I refused," TA said.
"They told me I was poor, so where do I get my money from except from theft? They told me that my wife and I were thieves and they would arrest my wife as well."
Both denied the robbery charge in court last February.
Arresting officer HE, 27, told prosecutors that a report of a robbery was received on October 25 last year and their investigations led them to TA. "He willingly confessed in front of me," said HE in records.
Policeman MH testified that TA worked at the car rental and possessed copies of the office keys, which he used to open its door and rob the place.
"Both defendants confessed to theft charges when interrogated by police," said MH, adding that RS confessed he received Dh8,000 for his role in the robbery.
salamir@thenational.ae
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Key products and UAE prices
iPhone XS
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iPhone XS Max
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iPhone XR
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Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
