Dubai: A salesman accused of stealing a secretary’s bag that contained around Dh3,700 and valuables pleaded not guilty before the Dubai Court of First Instance on Tuesday.
In the February incident, the 27-year-old Chinese secretary was walking back home after work at around 8.30pm when she felt someone, who turned out to be the 29-year-old Pakistani salesman, following her. When he tried to snatch her shoulder bag, she held on to it and refused to let go. He then pulled with greater force, leading to the woman falling down and injuring her arm and shoulder.
The woman filed a police complaint shortly after the incident.
Primary investigations led police to the salesman, who was found to be involved in earlier thefts he had committed using the same modus operandi.
Footage from surveillance cameras at the crime scene showed the 29-year-old man walking behind the secretary before he snatched her bag and fled.
Prosecutors charged the suspect with stealing the woman’s bag and assaulting her.
According to the charge-sheet, prosecutors said the suspect stole the bag that contained nearly Dh3,700 in local and international currency, a phone, two SIM cards and her house keys.
The secretary told prosecutors that she had just finished work and was walking back to her residence when the incident happened.
“The suspect was chasing me … suddenly he tried to snatch my shoulder bag, but I grabbed it firmly. He pulled it strongly and I lost my balance and fell to the ground. I hurt my arm and shoulder. Meanwhile, he ran away. The bag contained cash, a phone, two SIM cards, my driving licence and insurance card,” she testified.
The suspect admitted to prosecutors that he walked behind the Chinese woman that day.
A ruling will be heard on November 7.
