DUBAI // A jobless Emirati accused of armed robbery told Dubai Criminal Court that he is being framed in 16 thefts he did not commit.
“I’m innocent, I didn’t steal from anyone nor did I break any car and steal from it. Police are accusing me of 16 such incidents and they are all untrue,” the 27-year-old told judges.
Prosecutors said that on the night of October 5 last year the defendant broke the glass window of a car parked in Bur Dubai and stole a laptop, a wallet with Dh5,270 in it as well as IDs and other cards.
They said he then stole again, on the night of October 11, taking Dh220 and 1,800 Pakistani rupees as well as official documents after breaking the window of another car in Bur Dubai.
The defendant is charged with armed robbery and damaging property, which he denied in court on Thursday.
“I parked at about 2am and, when I got back to my car in the morning, I discovered the incident and called police,” said a 28-year-old Sudanese motorist.
The second car owner said he found out his vehicle was damaged and his belongings stolen at 5.30am and called police.
“The defendant was connected to both incidents, and our investigations revealed it’s his style; he looks for parked cars and checks if there are any items inside then he would break the glass and steal whatever he finds,” testified the Emirati policeman, 30.
The next hearing will be on March 16.
salamir@thenational.ae
