Pharmacy burglars held in Dubai after one of them drops phone

Dubai - They have all been charged with causing damage to property and attempted robbery.

Three men have gone on trial at the Dubai Court of First Instance accused of attempting to rob a pharmacy and damaging its glass facade.

The two Emiratis -- one of whom is at large -- and a Comoros Islands passport holder had allegedly formed a gang that targeted pharmacies and other shops.

However, their latest attempt to burgle a pharmacy in Umm Suqeim was foiled after they were "surprised" to see a guard sleeping inside. One of them dropped his mobile phone as he was trying to escape.

They have all been charged with causing damage to property and attempted robbery. The incident allegedly happened on January 25.

"Around 3.40am, we were informed about an attempted robbery at a pharmacy on the Umm Suqeim road. We found the lock of the main door broken and a mobile phone which must have been dropped by one of the thieves," a police corporal said. "The guard who called the police said he was sleeping at an office inside the pharmacy when he heard a noise. He then saw one of the thieves standing in front of him. The latter was also surprised to see the guard and dropped his phone as he fled."

The police caught two of the defendants around 9.30pm the following day in connection with the robbery of a pharmacy in Al Rafaa.

Public prosecution records show that gloves and masks were found with the two accused, aged 31 and 19, which they used to commit robberies.

mary@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai