Four men arrested on robbery charges

Police arrested the men in Ras al Khaimah on suspicion of stealing Dh200,000 from people withdrawing cash from banks.

Police have arrested four men in Ras al Khaimah on suspicion of stealing Dh200,000 (US$54,450) from people who they followed after observing them withdraw cash from banks. Some of the victims were tricked into stopping their cars by men who told them they had flat tyres, the police said. When the drivers got out to assist, they were attacked and robbed. In other instances, robbers followed the cars until the drivers stoppedand left their cars, then broke into the vehicles and took money.

A police statement said a patrol was staking out one of the banks and saw four Asian men in a car who appeared to panic when they saw the officers. Three of the men were quickly captured and the fourth was arrested later. Police said they recovered cheques, mobile phones and tools used to break into cars. The case has been turned over to prosecutors. [e-mail]