Father tells of car chase to foil kidnap

In a high-speed pursuit through the streets of Dubai, a police corporal foiled an attempt to kidnap his 13-year-old daughter.

DUBAI // In a high-speed pursuit through the city streets, a police corporal foiled an attempt to kidnap his 13-year-old daughter, a court heard yesterday. Two men forced the girl into their vehicle outside the family's house in the Muhaisna district of Dubai, according to prosecution records filed with the Dubai Criminal Court of First Instance. The 38-year-old corporal told prosecutors that while he was waiting outside for his daughter and maid on the afternoon of April 29, two men drove up in a Mitsubishi Lancer, pulled the girl into the car and knocked down the maid.

As they sped off he gave chase in his Toyota 4x4, ramming the smaller car and trying to force it to stop. "The car swerved left and right but I was finally able to block it when they faced a dead end," the corporal told prosecutors. The alleged kidnappers turned their car around and drove head-on at the Toyota - but it was stopped dead by the heavier vehicle. The corporal said he then opened the car door and demanded the release of his child, only to be sent sprawling from a kick in the face.

One of the accused, identified as MK, a 29-year-old Emirati, fled and is still on the run, but the other man was subdued and arrested. The corporal's maid testified that the men had called the girl over and grabbed her when she was near their car. The maid had tried to intervene, but the suspects slammed the door on her, injuring her hand and knocking her to the ground. No reason was given for the attempt, and the arrested suspect, AR, 30, was not in court yesterday. The presiding judge, Fahmy Mounir Fahmy, adjourned the hearing to September 27, ordering him to be present.