Man tries to steal from same Dubai supermarket three times in one day

It took three police officers to restrain and arrest the man after the third attempt to rob from the shop.

DUBAI // A man tried to steal from the same supermarket three times in one day causing thousands of dirhams in damages, a court has heard.

It took the efforts of three police officers to restrain and arrest the man after the third attempt to rob from the shop, it was alleged.

The first incident occurred when N W, 29, attacked a salesman at Ghazal Supermarket in Oud Al Matina, damaged parts of the supermarket and then stole mobile phone credit worth about Dh2,000 and Dh1,800 in cash.

The salesman called police and asked his Indian friend, A A, to handle work until he returned.

But after police left, the defendant returned and started damaging items because police were informed, the court heard.

“He started punching me all over my body and saying ‘why did you call police’? Then he stole Dh1,300 and I could see he was holding a knife in his pocket,” said A A, who then ran away as the defendant started chasing him.

A A escaped and told the salesman what happened. Police were called again.

A A then saw the defendant returning to the supermarket for a third time.

When police arrived, they found N W, who is stateless, drunk and acting suspiciously with goods at the supermarket.

M N, one of the police officers, tried to arrest him but the defendant resisted, pushed the officer away and kicked him in the groin.

It took the efforts of three policemen to finally restrain and arrest N W.

N W also caused Dh2,500 damages at the supermarket, police said.

The defendant said he did not know what he was doing because he was drunk.

He was charged with robbery, causing damages, assault and consuming alcohol without a licence. He denied all the charges but confessed to the alcohol charge.

A verdict is expected on December 23.