Six stand trial over money-transfer robberies that netted gang Dh1.4m in one day

Six are among 19-strong gang to stand trial over several robberies across Sharjah.

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SHARJAH // Six men accused of taking about Dh1.4 million by robbing three money-transfer vehicles stood trial on Monday.

The six, all Africans, were part of a 19-member gang that took part in the armed robberies in Sharjah on December 14 last year, Sharjah Criminal Court heard on Monday.

The defendants also stole a briefcase containing money in ­Muwaileh and attacked the ­security guards, the prosecutors said.

Sharjah Police said the gang had staged an armed robbery a few days earlier, on King Faisal Street. Four gang members assaulted security guards and took Dh320,000.

A few days later, gang members robbed a vehicle on Al Ittihad Road and another at Al Safeer Mall, stealing Dh700,000.

That same day, they attacked a money-transfer vehicle in Muwaileh and assaulted the guards before fleeing with Dh710,000.

An hour later, the gang members were arrested after they tried to rob a vehicle near ­National Paints on Mohammed bin Zayed Road.

On Monday, two gang members admitted that they had stolen money but denied assaulting the security guards.

Three gang members denied participating in the robberies. One of them also denied resisting arrest and damaging two police cars while trying to escape.

One of the accused was not in court to enter a plea. The next hearing is set for June 1.

tzriqat@thenational.ae