Story By: Lee Bullen,Sub Editor: Joseph Golder,Agency: Central European News

This man allegedly stole over 630,000 GBP from a safe in a plush Dubai family’s apartment while dressed in what appears to be a Muslim burqa.

According to reports, the unnamed suspect, believed to a member of a European criminal organisation, targeted a wealthy family in the upmarket City Walk area of Dubai in the north-east of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Local media said that the suspect poured corrosive chemicals into the safe’s alarm system before drilling into it with tools he bought after landing in Dubai.

Within 47 minutes of breaking into the apartment, the man was apprehended with cash and valuables worth 3 million AED (633,375 GBP), according to reports.

The Dubai police said they received a tip-off the day before the suspect’s arrival and tracked his movements.

CCTV footage shows the man buying equipment for the alleged robbery before checking into a hotel in the area of Naif.

He reportedly left the hotel with his recently-purchased equipment while wearing an abaya, a loose over-garment typically worn by women in parts of the Muslim world.

While wearing the female garment, the suspect took a taxi to City Walk and entered the targeted apartment, according to reports.

He is then accused of carrying the safe to a bathroom where he disabled the alarm and drilled into the metal.

CCTV footage then captured the man leaving the building with another bag reportedly full of the safe’s contents.

He changed his clothes in a shop before taking the loot back to his hotel room.

Local media said the police arrested him soon afterwards while in possession of the stolen goods, which included valuable watches and money.

Footage released by Dubai police shows the entire operation. At the end of the footage, after the suspect’s arrest, the police and the owner of the flat can be seen standing next to the safe.

The owner, speaking French, then says: “When they asked me if I had insurance for the flat, the first reaction I had was to say that my insurance is simply Dubai.”

The investigation is ongoing. It is unclear if the suspect has been charged.

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