6 arrested in two robbery cases

RIYADH — Riyadh police arrested six suspects — five Saudis and a Palestinian — in two separate robbery cases. The suspects were also charged with assaulting pedestrians, threatening them, robbing their money and their phones. Most of the victims happened to be expatriates who were robbed of their valuables after being threatened with weapons. Under the directives of Riyadh emir police began investigating the case by organizing a task force to study the modus operandi of the gangs. Official spokesman of Riyadh police, Col. Fawaz Al-Maiman, said three Saudi suspects in their 20s were arrested from the first gang. They were using a white jeep in their criminal activities. Police deployed secret units at locations usually crammed by expatriates. The three suspects from the first gang, all Saudis, were arrested when they were driving their car and after searching the car, police found light weapons, masks, money and other stolen valuables. After sustained interrogation, they confessed to 11 robberies in shops besides robbing pedestrians. Al-Maiman added that the second gang, two Saudis and a Palestinian, was nabbed after its members were involved in robbing pedestrians in the middle of the street. The gang used to target expat pedestrians by snatching their mobile phones and money. The gang members would take advantage of cars stopping at a traffic light to open the door and rob the driver and passengers. All suspects were detained and later will be transferred to the Bureau of Investigation and Prosecution.