Female police officers speak about their role in arresting Reem mall murder suspect

A female officer with Abu Dhabi Police said that the murder suspect was in a state of shock when they stormed into to her villa to arrest her. Courtesy Security Media

ABU DHABI // Two female police officers have spoken about the role they played in arresting the Emirati women suspected of stabbing to death an American teacher and planting a bomb outside a doctor’s home.

Officer S, a 10-year veteran of Abu Dhabi Police force, explained how she took part in a raid on the suspect’s home in the capital. She said the two-story villa was cordoned off before officers stormed the property.

“The suspect was clearly in a state of shock. She didn’t expect the police to raid her house in such a record time. I was the one to arrest her as per the planned tactic,” she told Wam, the state news agency.

The mother-of-three was watching her son, a national service recruit, take part in a National Day parade on television when she was called for duty.

“I was home watching my son in the national service squadron that took part in the military National Day parade. I was then summoned to take part in the raid on the suspect’s house. I was asked to report immediately to duty where we were briefed on the raid and arrest plan.”

S was also present at the scene of the murder of nursery school teacher Ibolya Ryan, who was attacked in a public bathroom at Boutik Mall, on Reem Island.

“I was part of the Security Support team in the first day,” said S. “We had cordoned off the mall where the first crime took place when we received information about a homemade bomb in a residential building, at the Corniche, at the front door of an Arab-American doctor. We left immediately to deal with the situation.”

Authorities were alerted when Egyptian-American doctor MHH’s 13-year-old son, who was heading to evening prayer at a local mosque, found a strange object in front of their door.

Security forces promptly evacuated the building and defused the makeshift device.

“Soon after, events accelerated until the suspect was identified and located,” said S, adding that the UAE had never witnessed such heinous crimes and that her main objective is to protect the country and contribute to its safety and security.

The second officer, G, expressed her pride at taking part in the successful operation, which saw the suspect’s address identified less than 24 hours after the homemade bomb was defused.

Her love for her homeland, she said, and desire to perform a public service that benefits the Emirati community, were the reasons she joined Abu Dhabi Police.

“Our message is the same and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, said it clearly: ‘we will not tolerate any tampering in the UAE’s security and stability. Severe punishment awaits anyone who dares to commit a crime against the people of the UAE, its residents and visitors,’” said G, who joined the Security Support Section in 2012 and is studying to complete her university degree.