Thief ‘entered man’s car, assaulted him, then forced him to withdraw cash’ in Dubai

Emirati did not appear at Dubai court to hear charges against him, where Indian said he forced him to withdraw Dh10,000 from an ATM.

DUBAI // A man robbed another of Dh10,000 after getting into his car, attacking him and forcing him to withdraw the money from an ATM machine, the Dubai Criminal Court heard on Thursday.

Last August, A M, a 27-year-old Comoros Islands national, assaulted A B, a 30-year-old Indian merchant, in Al Rigga, prosecutors said. A M did not appear in court on Thursday to enter a plea.

A B said he was surprised when A M opened a door of his vehicle that was parked near a fast-food restaurant and got in.

“He hit me with his fists and took my wallet and mobile phone and threatened me. However, he didn’t find any money inside the wallet,” said A B.

A M then ordered A B to drive to a nearby ATM machine after he saw a bank card in the wallet, Emirati policeman A A told prosecutors.

The Indian merchant withdrew Dh5,000 twice from the machine and handed the money to the defendant, who then fled the scene.

The defendant was identified because he had committed similar thefts, A A said.

The next hearing is on next Thursday.