DUBAI // Six Chinese men broke into a villa in Al Barsha and stole gold and diamonds worth nearly Dh600,000, a court heard on Sunday.
Prosecutors told Dubai Criminal Court that in July last year, J W, 31, Z H, 37, Y T, 26, J M, 28, M W, 24, and J O, 29, entered the villa of Emirati A A, 37, in Al Barsha 3, by breaking the locks of the kitchen and front doors.
The householder said that at about 9pm he returned home to find the place in a mess.
“The locks were broken, even that of the wardrobe in my bedroom,” said A A, adding that valuables including gold and diamonds worth Dh588,000 had been stolen.
He said the items taken included a gold bar that had a picture of the country’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed, on it. Six other gold bars were stolen, one diamond set, three mixed sets of gold and diamonds, and several small gold sets, necklaces, bracelets, and a men’s watch.
Prosecutors charged the defendants with armed robbery using metal chains and sharp tools. Four were arrested on July 22 last year.
Police said they found tools and metal chains in Y T’s car. When tested, the forensic lab said the tools were recently used with force. Gloves and money were also found in the car. When police searched J M’s vehicle, they found gold items and watches.
The four defendants led police to the other two, who were arrested at their home in Dubai, where police found some of the victim’s stolen items.
“During questioning they said that each had his role, J W, Z H, M W and J O were responsible for breaking in and stealing the valuables, while the others were drivers,” testified Emirati police captain A A.
In court, the defendants did not face the charges as the presiding judge ordered prosecutors to include a list of the stolen items and their value.
Police said the gang had been involved in two other thefts, which are currently being handled by Al Rashidiya and Bur Dubai police stations before being referred to prosecutors.
The next hearing will be on February 2.
salamir@thenational.ae
