Man posed as police, robbed passer-by, prosecutors say

But the Emirati suspect says he doesn't even speak English and has no need to mug anyone.

DUBAI // A man accused of posing as a police officer and stealing Dh510 denied the charges and told the court police had bungled his identity.

“I am not in need of Dh510, your honour, I swear I didn't steal anything from him,” said TM, 33, adding that he was surprised to see the prosecution list him as being from the Comoros when he is actually Emirati.

"My Emirati passport is at the police station, your honour, and I can provide the court with copies of it,” he said.

The court ordered that TM's nationality be verified and a copy of his passport attached to the case file.

According to prosecution, TM, who is unemployed, posed as an officer about 4am on February 17, 2011, to EP, 47, a Filipino, in Al Qusais area.

Prosecutors said he stopped his vehicle, then pushed EP inside before he and another man threatened EP and told him to give up his wallet.

EP told prosecutors TM his accomplice, who remains at large, took money out of his wallet, then gave it back to him and dropped him in Al Muhaisanah area.

“How did I speak to him and ask for his wallet? I don't speak English,” TM said, adding that he stopped for the man because he thought he needed help. But after EP was in the car, he testified, he saw him drinking alcohol from a small bottle in his pocket.

He told the court he then parked his vehicle and pulled EP out of the car.

The next hearing was scheduled for May 16.