Western Region Police arrested an Asian gang, specialized in stealing and melting copper electric cables, to conceal the crime. Police managed to seize a large number of stolen electric cables, hidden in a farm’s warehouse in the city of Liwa in the Western Region of Abu Dhabi.
The arrest was announced by Colonel Ajeel Ali Abdullah, Acting Director of the Western Region Police Directorate, at the Abu Dhabi Police General Headquarters. He explained that all suspects involved are workers from cattle farms in Al Ain, including the warehouse’s security guard who betrayed his employer and deliberately hid the loot, with the intention of selling it to a scrap and iron dealer, who was also arrested as an accessory to theft.
On the stolen cables, Colonel Ajeel stated that they belonged to government and private facilities, estimated to be of 7500 meters long, weighing 1320 kgs, and that they were used in the city of Liwa in the Western Region in Abu Dhabi. He went on to explain the criminal MO, noting that all culprits partook in the thefts, carried out at night, as one of them, the smallest (lightweight), climbed the electric poles and cut the cables in a professional manner.
Moreover, Colonel Ajeel Ali Abdullah explained: “the Western Region Police Directorate received several reports, on people stealing electrical cables, particularly in the Liwa region. An investigation team was formed to uncover the details of the crime and establish a plan to catch the culprits”.
He added: “police members managed to solve the case after thorough investigation, which led to them raid the warehouse and seize the loot; particularly following suspicious movements carried out by one of the gang members.”
Colonel Ajeel revealed that the gang members were taken by surprise and caught red-handed with the stolen items inside the warehouse used as a den. Other items were also seized in the bust, including a hydraulic scissor to cut cables quickly, and tools to smelt the cables’ copper, and hide the crime.
He added: “confronted with evidence and proof, and the result of investigations; the suspects all confessed to having collaborated in forming a gang specialized in stealing electric cables”.
Acting Director of Western Region Police Directorate urged facilities to stay vigilant and take all anti-theft precautions. He also reminded them of the importance of quickly reporting any legal violations against them without the slightest delay or hesitation, as this would help catch the suspects and offenders quickly.
He called for concerted efforts by community members with the police in order to curb such crimes; emphasizing that the police bodies are doubling their efforts to provide maximum security and safety; to ensure public safety and maintain their property, according to the priorities of Abu Dhabi Police Headquarters’ strategy; such as preventing crime and crime rates, as well as fighting them by all means. "