Security guard denies stealing scaffold poles from building site, Dubai court hears

DUBAI // A Pakistani security guard denied stealing 30 iron scaffold poles worth Dh10,000 and selling them to two compatriots for Dh250, the Dubai Criminal Court heard.

Prosecutors said 24-year-old RM stole the poles on May 22 this year from a construction site where he worked. He then sold them to MM, 24, and MB, 27.

RM is charged with theft while his compatriots are charged with aiding and abetting by purchasing stolen goods. They all denied the charges in court.

“We did not know it was stolen. He met with us in a villa under construction and sold us the scaffolds for Dh250,” said MM and MB to the presiding judge.

Syrian civil engineer TA, 35, told prosecutors that he received a call from one of his suppliers informing him that his company’s work site, a villa in Al Khawaneej, was closed and the guard was not present so he wasn’t able to unload construction materials on site.

“The guard, who is RM, was supposed to be there to receive the construction materials so I called him and he did not answer, then when I went to the work site I noticed the scaffolds missing,” said TA, who called police.

Soon after the report was made, a police patrol noticed a pick up truck loaded with scaffolding poles on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road. “I stopped the driver and there was a passenger with him. When I asked them about the scaffolds they said they purchased them from RM from a villa in Al Khawaneej,” testified policeman YQ, 48, who arrested MM and MB.

Police then arrested RM. “He willingly confessed to stealing the scaffolds,” added YQ.

A verdict is expected on September 16.