Five Nigerians, who allegedly robbed a bureau de change in Sharjah, United Arab Emirate (UAE), have been arrested.
The suspects reportedly fled with cash of different currency worth Dh2.3 million (N226,182,000).
According to the Sharjah police, the men barged into the exchange and smashed the glass barrier between the customers and the staff, stole the money in multiple currencies and fled.
Two employees at the exchange were injured as they resisted the robbers. One of them managed to notify the police.
The Sharjah police coordinated with forces from Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah and Ajman to arrest the suspects within 48 hours after the robbery was committed.
A top police official said the suspects came to the UAE on visit visas on March 18.
For two days, they studied the exchange office before deciding to commit the robbery around midnight – just before the shop was to close. On March 20, four suspects stormed into the exchange office, while one waited in a car outside. After the four suspects rushed out with the money, they fled in a car.
Major-General Saif Al Zeri Al Shamsi, Commander-in-Chief of the Sharjah Police, said the whole amount stolen has been recovered.
“The police team reached the site within seven minutes after the robbery was reported. The injured staff members were rushed to the hospital, where they were discharged the next day,” the officer said.
The police lifted forensic evidence from the site and formed a team to crack the case. “Arrest warrants for the suspects were circulated at all ports of the country to prevent them from leaving.”
The police retrieved the number plate of the car in which the suspects fled.
Following this lead, they arrested one of the suspects in Sharjah. The suspect led the police to the others – two in Ajman, one in Abu Dhabi and one in Ras Al Khaimah.
The suspects, who confessed to the crime, have been referred to the public prosecution.
