Suspect arrested after stealing expat’s car and 640 dinars in Salmiya

An Asian expatriate’s annual leave took an unfortunate turn after he became the victim of theft and later faced a traffic violation, according to security sources.

The expatriate reported to the Salmiya police station that his white 2014 Japanese sedan had been stolen along with a sum of cash.

He told authorities that after cashing a vacation check worth 640 dinars at a bank, he saw his car had a flat tire and drove to a nearby tire repair shop and was paying the mechanic leaving the car engine running.

At that time time, an unidentified individual allegedly seized the opportunity, entered the vehicle, and fled with the car and the cash.

Security sources said the case was referred to the Criminal Security Sector. Using surveillance footage from the tire shop and biometric fingerprint technology, investigators identified the suspect as a Kuwaiti man, a government employee.

An arrest warrant was issued by the Public Prosecution, the suspect was arrested and taken to the Salmiya police station.

During questioning, he reportedly confessed in full detail to committing the theft.

Further investigations by the Criminal Investigation Department confirmed the suspect’s involvement. He later guided authorities to the stolen vehicle, which was recovered in Rumaithiya in front of the local cooperative society.

A security source cautioned motorists against leaving vehicles running, noting that such negligence provides easy opportunities for theft and remains one of the leading causes of similar crimes.

The source did not specify whether the suspect had been monitoring the victim prior to the incident at the bank. But the victim has been issued a citation for leaving the car engine running unattended.