Three convicted in robbery of sporting goods shop

Men took about Dh400,000 in goods and cash, prosecutors say.

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DUBAI // Two men were sentenced to six months in prison for forcing open a safe in a Sun and Sand Sports Shop in Dubai and stealing cash and goods worth about Dh400,000.

The men, JM, 38, and TN, 25, both from Kenya, confessed before the Dubai Criminal Court of First Instance last month. They were also found guilty of damaging the property of Sun and Sand Sport, and will be deported after serving their prison terms.

Court records stated the men broke into the shop on October 24, 2010, and forced open a safe, from which they stole Dh24,000 and US$300. 

Prosecutors said that the men then took goods from the shop worth Dh372,279, stashed them in plastic bags and stored them with a third man, RN, 27, also from Kenya. 

RN will serve three months in prison for possessing stolen items and damaging property. He confessed earlier as well. 

Records show that JM, who worked at the shop as a salesman, planned the theft and persuaded TN to participate. TN went to the shop on the day of the incident while JM hid inside, prosecutors said.

Some of the stolen items were found with TN as he tried to smuggle them out of the country, records showed.

salamir@thenational.ae