Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Saudi Arabia: Police Nab Gang of Armed Robbers | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Riyadh, Asharq Al Awsat-Security authorities in Riyadh arrested five Saudi nationals for a series of armed thefts last week. The group targeted shops and pharmacies and stole a number of vehicles to carry out their crime spree.

The Riyadh police department received numerous complaints from shop owners, petrol stations employees and pharmacies testifying that they were robbed at gunpoint. Police were able to come up with an accurate description of the gang because of the numerous complaints.

The robberies were carried out at similar times at night and followed a similar method in which a gang member would threaten the shop employee with a gun whilst another stole the money, during which the rest of the gang stood by and watched ready to intervene if necessary.

Investigations led to the monitoring of one criminal who strategically rented different cars to use in the operations to escape suspicion. He was eventually arrested and questioned, later admitting that he was a member of the armed gang. He revealed the names of his accomplices who were later arrested in police raids. The gang members admitted their involvement in the armed robberies, however, the police investigation continues.

In Saudi Arabia, armed robbery is punishable by execution.