Spate of car thefts causes concern
The recent spate of car thefts has raised serious concerns among car owners in Sharjah and Dubai. In Sharjah alone, more than 30 cars have been reported stolen this month, most of them from the Al Buhaira and Al Gharb areas.
Most of the car thefts reportedly took place during the evenings last week from the Jamal Abdul Nasser Street, Al Buhaira Corniche, Al Wahda and the Al Majaz area.
Modus operandi
According to the Sharjah Police, the thieves use duplicate keys and target only luxury cars, specially BMW, Lexus, Prado, Mercedes, Land Cruiser and other four-wheel drive vehicles.
“They steal cars from car rental and shipping companies as well as residential parking lots. They dismantle the cars to send them to other Arab countries, including Iraq, or sell them as spare parts in various emirates within the country,” a police source said.
Residents of Sharjah, who expressed concern over the rising phenomenon, have urged the police to gear up and increase patrols even on the busy streets and residential areas, especially during the night.
Victims speak
Martyam M., owner of Stash and Alexander Cargo and Shipping Company on Al Wahda Street, said on Wednesday last week a Prado Car 2005 model belonging to Vladimir Petroff, who handed it over to the company to ship it to Russia, had been stolen. “The car was bought from its owner in Dubai for Dh84,000,” he said.
He also said that the car was parked in his company’s parking area where there were another 20 cars waiting to be shipped off to various destinations.
“When I came the next day, I found that only the Prado is missing. I immediately reported the theft to Al Gharb Police Station who are investigating the matter,” he explained.
“I’m concerned about the cars of customers that are parked to be shipped. This place has become unsafe to do car shipping business,” Martyam added.
Three of the car rental companies contacted by Khaleej Times have been victimis of car thieves. Mohammed Khaleel, owner of a car rental company in Al Yarmouk, said more than three cars, including Prado, Mercedes and Land Cruiser, have been stolen over the months and are untraceable.
Joseph. B, a resident of Sharjah said, “When I came back from vacation, I found that my Honda Civic car was missing. The car was parked in a public parking in the Rolla Area which I have been using for three years. I reported the case to Al Gharb Police Station who then referred the case to the CID.”
Police action
A top official from Sharjah Police, CID Section, said that following a large number of car theft complaints, the Investigation Section had swung into action.
“The police have already arrested some suspects who were trying to send stolen vehicles outside the country. The CID officers now are working round-the-clock to bust the gangs and recover the vehicles. Patrols have also been intensified to ensure safety and security of vehicles in public parking,” he added.
He also said that the police had issued an alert on the Police Network in the UAE. “When a stolen vehicle is found, the police take proper measures to check the owner and then turn the case to the prosecution,” he added.
“During investigations, we found out that in some cases, car owners had left their cars unlocked in supermarket parking lots and at petrol stations, which gave the thieves an opportunity to get away with the car easily,” he explained.
“In some other cases, it was discovered that the suspects use forged papers and passports to rent a car and never showed up again. These crimes take place with the collaboration of international crime organisations. Sharjah Police is collaborating with the Interpol in this regard,” he added.
A top police official has warned the motorists not to leave their cars unattended with engines running even for a short while. In Dubai, Brigadier Abdul Jalil Mehdi, Director of Preventive Security Department of the Dubai Police, said over 22 vehicles were stolen from a number of rent-a-car outlets in Dubai in the past month.
He said a large number of car thefts was reported by rent-a-car companies and banks. Of the total number of stolen vehicles, 10 belonged to a single outlet, he added.
Fake documents
According to Mehdi, thieves managed to steal the vehicles by producing copies of fake trade licences which showed that they owned companies.
“They told the staff of the rent-a-car office from where 10 vehicles were stolen that they wanted to use cars for transporting their employees, after paying the full rent. Later, using fake documents, the vehicles were taken to a country in the Middle East region,” Mehdi stated.
He urged rent-a-car outlets to verify documents submitted to them. “Rent-a-car offices should ensure that the companies asking for cars are genuine and they should not depend on credit cards without contacting the banks concerned.”
He also said that the Dubai Police noted that thieves were targeting luxury cars including Lexus and Toyota, especially four-wheel drives.
Public warning
He urged the public to be careful during the summer months and to park their cars in a safe place.
He said car owners should park their cars in suitable spots like the municipality’s general parking facilities as these parking lots are safe and away from possible incidents that could cause damage or lead to thefts.
Mehdi also said that individuals owning latest models and luxury cars should exercise caution when they leave on long vacations during the summer. He said some people leave their cars under unsafe conditions in front of their homes, which could expose these to thefts.
“Public should cooperate with the police in reporting any suspicious elements. Those who travel should not leave their car’s petrol tanks full,” he added.
He said owners of cars also could contact the nearest police station or inform the department through the Dubai Police web site about their absence so that the police could keep an eye on their properties, including cars.
Brig Mehdi noted if people took preventive measures they could prevent burglaries. “Owners of houses should keep their houses locked properly when they travel so that burglars would find it difficult to break into the houses,” he added.
The official also blamed drivers for leaving their cars open and engines running. “This act makes it easy for car thieves, and in accordance with the Federal Traffic Law, this is considered a violation,” he added.
Trackers a must
On the other hand, insurance companies in Dubai and Sharjah have urged motorists to install trackers in their vehicles. A number of insurance companies have begun to give percentage subsidy to clients who have car trackers, a representative from Amman Insurance Company said.
“We have on a number of occasions received cases of stolen cars and efforts to trace them have been in vain. The insurance company had to pay out huge amounts. However, if a car tracker is installed in the car, the risks involved are minimised,” he added. Source
Most of the car thefts reportedly took place during the evenings last week from the Jamal Abdul Nasser Street, Al Buhaira Corniche, Al Wahda and the Al Majaz area.
Modus operandi
According to the Sharjah Police, the thieves use duplicate keys and target only luxury cars, specially BMW, Lexus, Prado, Mercedes, Land Cruiser and other four-wheel drive vehicles.
“They steal cars from car rental and shipping companies as well as residential parking lots. They dismantle the cars to send them to other Arab countries, including Iraq, or sell them as spare parts in various emirates within the country,” a police source said.
Residents of Sharjah, who expressed concern over the rising phenomenon, have urged the police to gear up and increase patrols even on the busy streets and residential areas, especially during the night.
Victims speak
Martyam M., owner of Stash and Alexander Cargo and Shipping Company on Al Wahda Street, said on Wednesday last week a Prado Car 2005 model belonging to Vladimir Petroff, who handed it over to the company to ship it to Russia, had been stolen. “The car was bought from its owner in Dubai for Dh84,000,” he said.
He also said that the car was parked in his company’s parking area where there were another 20 cars waiting to be shipped off to various destinations.
“When I came the next day, I found that only the Prado is missing. I immediately reported the theft to Al Gharb Police Station who are investigating the matter,” he explained.
“I’m concerned about the cars of customers that are parked to be shipped. This place has become unsafe to do car shipping business,” Martyam added.
Three of the car rental companies contacted by Khaleej Times have been victimis of car thieves. Mohammed Khaleel, owner of a car rental company in Al Yarmouk, said more than three cars, including Prado, Mercedes and Land Cruiser, have been stolen over the months and are untraceable.
Joseph. B, a resident of Sharjah said, “When I came back from vacation, I found that my Honda Civic car was missing. The car was parked in a public parking in the Rolla Area which I have been using for three years. I reported the case to Al Gharb Police Station who then referred the case to the CID.”
Police action
A top official from Sharjah Police, CID Section, said that following a large number of car theft complaints, the Investigation Section had swung into action.
“The police have already arrested some suspects who were trying to send stolen vehicles outside the country. The CID officers now are working round-the-clock to bust the gangs and recover the vehicles. Patrols have also been intensified to ensure safety and security of vehicles in public parking,” he added.
He also said that the police had issued an alert on the Police Network in the UAE. “When a stolen vehicle is found, the police take proper measures to check the owner and then turn the case to the prosecution,” he added.
“During investigations, we found out that in some cases, car owners had left their cars unlocked in supermarket parking lots and at petrol stations, which gave the thieves an opportunity to get away with the car easily,” he explained.
“In some other cases, it was discovered that the suspects use forged papers and passports to rent a car and never showed up again. These crimes take place with the collaboration of international crime organisations. Sharjah Police is collaborating with the Interpol in this regard,” he added.
A top police official has warned the motorists not to leave their cars unattended with engines running even for a short while. In Dubai, Brigadier Abdul Jalil Mehdi, Director of Preventive Security Department of the Dubai Police, said over 22 vehicles were stolen from a number of rent-a-car outlets in Dubai in the past month.
He said a large number of car thefts was reported by rent-a-car companies and banks. Of the total number of stolen vehicles, 10 belonged to a single outlet, he added.
Fake documents
According to Mehdi, thieves managed to steal the vehicles by producing copies of fake trade licences which showed that they owned companies.
“They told the staff of the rent-a-car office from where 10 vehicles were stolen that they wanted to use cars for transporting their employees, after paying the full rent. Later, using fake documents, the vehicles were taken to a country in the Middle East region,” Mehdi stated.
He urged rent-a-car outlets to verify documents submitted to them. “Rent-a-car offices should ensure that the companies asking for cars are genuine and they should not depend on credit cards without contacting the banks concerned.”
He also said that the Dubai Police noted that thieves were targeting luxury cars including Lexus and Toyota, especially four-wheel drives.
Public warning
He urged the public to be careful during the summer months and to park their cars in a safe place.
He said car owners should park their cars in suitable spots like the municipality’s general parking facilities as these parking lots are safe and away from possible incidents that could cause damage or lead to thefts.
Mehdi also said that individuals owning latest models and luxury cars should exercise caution when they leave on long vacations during the summer. He said some people leave their cars under unsafe conditions in front of their homes, which could expose these to thefts.
“Public should cooperate with the police in reporting any suspicious elements. Those who travel should not leave their car’s petrol tanks full,” he added.
He said owners of cars also could contact the nearest police station or inform the department through the Dubai Police web site about their absence so that the police could keep an eye on their properties, including cars.
Brig Mehdi noted if people took preventive measures they could prevent burglaries. “Owners of houses should keep their houses locked properly when they travel so that burglars would find it difficult to break into the houses,” he added.
The official also blamed drivers for leaving their cars open and engines running. “This act makes it easy for car thieves, and in accordance with the Federal Traffic Law, this is considered a violation,” he added.
Trackers a must
On the other hand, insurance companies in Dubai and Sharjah have urged motorists to install trackers in their vehicles. A number of insurance companies have begun to give percentage subsidy to clients who have car trackers, a representative from Amman Insurance Company said.
“We have on a number of occasions received cases of stolen cars and efforts to trace them have been in vain. The insurance company had to pay out huge amounts. However, if a car tracker is installed in the car, the risks involved are minimised,” he added. Source
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