DUBAI // Three people have been arrested on suspicion of stealing smartphones and a wallet containing Dh700 after taking a couple’s car keys from a popular indoor trampoline centre, said Dubai Police.
Marina Vatina, 33, and her husband, Andrej Mekionis, 35, were at Bounce Dubai on January 11 when three unidentified men stole their car keys from a drawer, located their vehicle and stole the items.
Col Abdallah Surour Al Masam, director of the Bur Dubai Police Station, said that two of the suspects are 16 years old, and the third is 18.
“All three people admitted to the crime, and their cases have been transferred to prosecution,” he said.
Col Tarek Tahlak, deputy director of the police station, said that CCTV footage showed one suspect looking through the drawers while the others stood guard.
“This is a very unfortunate incident, and even more unfortunate that the suspects are young men,” he said, also urging people to always make sure their belongings are properly stored.
Although the couple decided to drop charges against the three, their cases will still be transferred to juvenile court.
“My husband didn’t prosecute the guys because it is their parents who will pay the (price), not the boys as they’re not working,” said Ms Vatina. “Also because parents will basically take all the responsibility for somebody else’s bad behaviour.
“We thought that the parents have already taught the kids a lesson, and we wished just to work to figure out where our stolen things are.”
“Dubai is one of the safest cities in the world, but even so people should not be careless,” said Col Al Masam.
dmoukhallati@thenational.ae
