Man arrested after stealing camel for girlfriend and lying to Dubai Police

Accused said to have falsely claimed the baby camel wandered on to his farm

Camels can cost millions of dirhams in the UAE, depending on the breed and whether they can be used for racing or as show animals. Victor Besa / The National

There were more than 408,000 camels in Abu Dhabi emirate in 2017, a rise of almost 50 per cent since 2010. Victor Besa / The National

A camel farm in Al Si'a'a, Abu Dhabi, Lucrative prizes and prestige won at camel races have encouraged owners to increase the size of their herds. Families who once owned a single camel will now have dozens. Victor Besa/The National

A baby camel in Al Sila'a, a city in the Al Dhafra region of Abu Dhabi emirate. Victor Besa / The National

An adult and a young camel at a farm near the eastern city of Al Ain, during a sandstorm. Ryan Carter / The National

A young camel at a farm in Al Ain. Ryan Carter / The National

Northern emirate Ras Al Khaimah is home to about 9,000 camels. Victor Besa / The National

An Emirati man was arrested for allegedly stealing  an expensive newborn camel as a birthday gift for his girlfriend.

He is then said to have lied to police about how he obtained the animal.

The man's girlfriend was also arrested in connection with the incident.

Dubai Police were alerted to the theft two weeks ago by the dromedary's owners, who reported that a young camel of a rare variety had been stolen from their farm.

Police searched the farm but found no leads as to who may have taken the animal.

Days later, the accused, who owns a farm in the area, called police to report that a young camel had accidentally wandered on to his farm.

Brig Abdullah Al Mosam, director of Bur Dubai Police station, said officers were immediately suspicious of the man's story because his farm is three kilometres from the other farm, with the two properties separated by a motorway.

It was a journey that would have been impossible for a newborn camel to undertake, Brig Al Mosam said.

Police called the man in for questioning, when he is said to have admitted sneaking on to his neighbour's farm at night to steal the expensive baby camel as a birthday present for his girlfriend.

Police told The National that the man had intended to steal an adult camel but was unable to lead any away.

The man and his girlfriend worried about being caught, so made up a false report in the hope of evading punishment, police said.

Brig Al Mosam said the young camel was returned to its owners. The arrested couple face charges of theft and giving police false information.