Today's Edition
DUBAI (ALETIHAD)
A tip off on the Dubai Police app by alert citizens helped the emirate’s police arrest a gang of 22 beggars who sought cash for travel expenses from road users.
The modus operandi of the gang was to gain sympathy of people on the roads by claiming they were stranded and needed cash for their journeys.
The incidents came to light when the Police Eye feature on the app received complaints from people. Police teams soon launched a search for the gang members and investigated incidents of begging. They soon identified one of the suspects, tracked his movements and took him into custody.
On questioning, the suspect revealed the locations of the other gang members, following which police soon put in place surveillance measures and fanned out across Al Khor Street, Ras Al Khor, the Bu Kadra Bridge area, and the Dubai-Al Ain Road bridge, to arrest the remaining 21 gang members.
The police cautioned residents that begging is not only illegal but may also endanger the safety of beggars and road users.
