(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) Muscat- The Criminal Investigations Department of ROP has nabbed two conmen involved in a 'fake road accident' and car theft in Wattayah in March.
The car had been stolen when the owner stepped out to check on the well-being of the other car owner involved in the accident. As he was checking on the driver, a person sitting in the other car slipped out stealthily and sped away with the man's car. Before he could react, the other car owner who was talking to him, too fled the scene in his car.
Muscat Daily had reported about the incident on March 13.
A statement from CID said, 'The intention of the two conmen was not to steal the car. Their aim was to rob him of expensive goods inside the vehicle.'
The two conmen had abandoned the car after driving for a while, the CID said. 'They just took away the person's belongings like a laptop and other documents.
'This person who was robbed of his car was a case of mistaken identity. The conmen were actually following another person who had left a bank.
That man was carrying an envelop, which they thought contained huge cash. So, they were following him. Somewhere things got mixed up and they ended up stealing the car of the wrong person.'
The CID also said that the two were involved in similar con jobs in the past too.
In a directive, ROP has asked people to stay vigilant while driving.
'We advise people not to leave the engines running even at accident sites as the cars might get stolen. It's a common sight of car owners leaving the engines running when they stop to visit a coffee shop, an ATM or small roadside restaurants or a shop to pick up stuff.
'This is more common during the day time in summers when people want to keep the car cool even if they step out for just five to ten minutes. Carjackers are always on the prowl and they look for such opportunities.
'It's also advisable not to keep important documents, laptops, cash and electronic gadgets in cars. It is a car owner's responsibility to exercise caution.
'In the event of an accident, ROP urges vehicle owners to switch off the engine, take out the key, apply hand brake and put on hazard lights when stepping out of the car.'
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