Gang member jailed for theft of Dh500,000 from bank customer

A member of a gang that sprayed pepper in a bank customer’s face before stealing a bag containing more than half a million dirhams will spend six months behind bars.

DUBAI // A member of a gang that sprayed pepper in a bank customer’s face before stealing a bag containing more than Dh500,000 has been jailed for six months.

The 37-year-old Pakistani was with three other men when they followed the 42-year-old Indian to a branch of RAK Bank in Al Rafaa on July 29 last year.

“I was sent to withdraw Dh501,000 from my company’s account. When I headed to my bike the four men attacked me,” said the victim who was temporarily blinded by the pepper spray.

His screams attracted two Yemeni brothers who were standing nearby.

“I saw as the men were trying to grab a bag from another man’s arms. My brother and I chased the one who got the bag and caught him then called police,” testified one of the brothers, 25.

Three of the gang were arrested and prosecuted but the defendant remained at large until his arrest in December last year.

He denied a charge of attempted robbery and told judges at Dubai Criminal Court his role was to watch the victim and inform the others when he left the bank.

He was convicted and will be deported after serving his prison term.