Dh9.5 million in stolen jewels returned, police say

DUBAI // A man who stole diamonds from his boss valued at Dh9.5 million returned the haul the following day - after a telling-off from his brother, police said today.

The 30-year-old Egyptian man, who was employed at a jewellery store, hid seven sets of diamonds in a sports bag, then boarded a one-way flight to Alexandria, Egypt, according to police sources.

His brother met him at the airport. But, after learning of the theft, he insisted his sibling return to Dubai and give back the jewels. The thief obeyed, without even exiting the airport, police said.

By the time he returned to Dubai and confessed his crime the following day, the police had already identified him as a suspect, based on camera footage and fingerprints in the shop and airport records confirming his flight. "He must be held accountable as the crime was completed," said Lt Col Ahmed al Merri, head of criminal investigations at Dubai Police. "But we have explained in the charge sheet that he came back and we did not have to go and catch him."

The store manager had not originally suspected the employee, saying he was known for his honesty. The employee had worked there for five years. He was responsible for putting the jewels away at closing time. The shop is located in a high-end mall which police declined to identify.

After the incident, Gen Khalil Ibrahim Al Mansouri, director general of the Criminal Investigation Department, phoned the employee's brother in Egypt to thank him for his "high morals".

The case has been referred to public prosecutors.