Man hid in supermarket before stealing Dh30,000 in cash when shop closed, Dubai court told

DUBAI // A man stole Dh30,000 in cash, phones, prepaid mobile top-up cards and Nol cards from a supermarket after hiding in a cabinet until the shop closed.

On October 11 last year, the 22-year-old Indian sneaked into the supermarket in Al Muraqqabat at about 11pm and hid in a small cabinet behind some boxes.

The owner closed the shop shortly after midnight. When he was sure the supermarket was empty, the defendant left the cupboard and stole the items.

“Dh30,000 in cash was gone as well as prepaid mobile cards, Nol cards and a number of mobile phones,” said the Indian owner, 45, who returned to the store at about 3am after receiving a call from the security guard informing him that the rear glass door had been smashed. He then called police.

Police identified the defendant from CCTV in the supermarket and arrested him two months later.

“He told us that a friend convinced him to carry out the crime and suggested the plan for him to hide inside a cupboard and that he split the stolen cash and other items with him,” said a police officer.

The defendant led officers to the other man’s home in Sharjah where they found some of the stolen cards and several money transfer receipts.

“He said he transferred most of the money to his family back home,” the officer said.

The defendant confessed to a charge of theft when he appeared at Dubai Criminal Court.

The next hearing will be on January 23.