Dubai: A driver has been accused of using a screwdriver to unlock hood covers and stealing batteries from six trucks that were parked in a sandy area in Jebel Ali.
An Indian businessman was said to have been alerted by drivers, who worked for his company, in September that when they went to take their trucks to work, they discovered that the batteries had been stolen.
The drivers had parked their heavy vehicles in a sandy area, according to records, the previous night and when they returned in the morning, they found the trunks unlocked and the batteries missing.
The businessman alerted the police and preliminary investigation led to the arrest of a 24-year-old Pakistani driver for his involvement in the theft.
Prosecutors accused the suspect of stealing six batteries worth Dh2,500.
The suspect pleaded not guilty when he appeared before the Dubai Court of First Instance on Thursday.
The businessman told prosecutors that one of his truck drivers notified him over the phone that someone had stolen six batteries from the company’s trucks.
“The drivers usually park their trucks in a sandy area in Jebel Ali 2. I went to the sandy spot and discovered that the thief had unlocked the hood covers, disconnected the wires and removed the batteries. The trucks had been parked in a poorly lit spot,” he testified to prosecutors.
A police lieutenant testified to prosecutors that the suspect was apprehended for his involvement in a similar theft case that had taken place in Al Rashidiya.
“The 24-year-old driver was arrested in a battery theft that was committed in the same modus operandi … upon checking his car, the six batteries that had been stolen from Jebel Ali were found in the back trunk. We also found a special box of tools that he had been using for the robberies. During questioning, the suspect admitted that he drove to Jebel Ali and used a screwdriver to open the trunks and stole the batteries after disconnecting the wires,” he claimed to prosecutors.
The court will appoint a lawyer to defend the suspect when it reconvenes on February 19.