Three burgled pharmacy, prosecutors say

DUBAI // Two students broke into a pharmacy and stole more than 200 pills, then crashed into a police car while trying to get away, a court heard this morning.

The Pakistani MA, 24, and a Sudanese man, MH, 19, were charged at Dubai Criminal Court of First Instance with theft, as was a third male who was referred to Juvenile Court.

MA was also charged with damaging a police car and reckless endangerment, while MH was charged with consumption of Tramadol. Both denied the theft charges, but MA confessed to Judge Abdel Majid Al Nizami that he damaged the police car, while MH confessed to consumption.

Records show that the three broke into Life Pharmacy in Karama on February 25. A police officer told prosecutors that he saw them trying to place a large, gray box into the trunk, but when they spotted his police car theu dropped it and drove away.

"We put our lights on and instructed them to stop, but they continued off," the officer said. "They drove recklessly and crashed into the rear of our car when we tried to corner them, but a second patrol managed to stop them."

A knife and a bag full of pills were found in their car, prosecutors said.

The court adjourned the case for witnesses statements on July 27.

amustafa@thenational.ae