Dubai Police arrest car's thief in minutes

Brigadier Ali Al Shamsi, Director of the Suspects and Criminal Phenomena Department at Dubai Police, revealed that a police team swiftly arrested a thief just minutes after he posed as a beggar to exploit a man's act of kindness and steal his car.

According to Al Shamsi, the thief approached the driver of a luxury vehicle, pretending to be hungry and in need of food, which evoked the man's compassion.

The driver, living alone, invited the supposed beggar to his home. Upon reaching the residence, the homeowner welcomed the thief inside, placing his car keys in the living room before offering him a glass of juice and heading to the kitchen to prepare a simple breakfast.

Al Shamsi went on to explain that when the homeowner returned to the living room, both the individual and the car keys were gone. Looking out from the balcony, the homeowner discovered that the vehicle had been stolen, leading him to promptly report the incident to the police.

He highlighted that the quick response and professional approach of the authorities played a crucial role in recovering the vehicle and apprehending the suspect in an impressively short time.

Al Shamsi also stressed the importance of exercising caution by refraining from letting strangers into one's home or leaving keys and valuables within easy reach of others, no matter how well-intentioned they may appear, to ensure personal safety and property security.

Brigadier Ali Al Shamsi emphasised the success of the "Combat Begging" campaign, an annual initiative organized by the department in collaboration with partner agencies. He highlighted its significant impact in curbing the number of beggars, noting that only seven were apprehended during the first two days of this year's campaign—a marked improvement compared to last year, when 12 beggars were caught on the first day alone. This demonstrates the effectiveness of the stringent measures implemented to tackle the issue.

He also mentioned that the Dubai Police devise a comprehensive security strategy every year to address begging. This strategy involves intensifying patrols in locations where begging is likely to occur and running awareness campaigns to inform various segments of the community.

He stated that official bodies, organizations, and accredited charities are readily available for people seeking financial assistance or support to meet their needs. He highlighted the dangers of begging, describing it as a threat to societal security, the safety of individuals and their properties, and its negative impact on the country's image and reputation. Begging, he added, often leads to other crimes such as theft, pickpocketing, and the exploitation of vulnerable groups including children, the sick, and people with disabilities for illegal profit.

He further noted that some individuals attempt to justify their involvement in begging by claiming financial difficulties. However, such actions are classified as crimes under Federal Law No. 9 of 2018 related to combating begging. According to this law, anyone engaging in individual begging may face imprisonment for up to three months along with a fine of at least Dhs5,000. Those involved in organized begging or facilitating the exploitation of individuals brought from abroad for these activities can face imprisonment of no less than six months and a fine starting from Dhs100,000.

Al Shamsi encouraged the public to play an active role in reducing begging by refraining from giving direct donations or Zakat (obligatory alms) to individuals and instead directing their contributions to recognized charitable organizations. This approach ensures that donations are not misused for crimes disguised as begging.

He also urged community members to report beggars by calling the toll-free number 901 or utilizing the "Police Eye" feature available on the Dubai Police smart app. In cases of online begging, he recommended reporting through the "E-crime" platform.

These initiatives are part of the annual "Combat Begging" campaign launched by Dubai Police during the holy month of Ramadan under the theme "An Aware Society Without Begging." The campaign strives to tackle both individual and organized forms of begging, reduce their prevalence, and promote greater public awareness about the importance of contributing exclusively through official and accredited channels.