Dubai Court Jails Man, Fines Him Dh130,000 for Stealing 18 AC Units From Villa

A Dubai court has sentenced a man to one year in prison, fined him Dh130,000, and ordered his deportation after completing his sentence for stealing air-conditioning units from a villa in the emirate.

According to court records, the defendant was convicted of stealing 18 air-conditioning units from a villa in the Al Muhaisnah area. The case was registered after the villa’s owner, a Gulf national, reported the disappearance of the units to the police.

The complainant told investigators that he visited the property after authorities ordered its closure for breaching rental regulations and being used as shared accommodation. On arrival, he noticed signs of forced entry, including damage to the main entrance and disorder inside the villa.

Upon inspecting the premises, the owner discovered that all air-conditioning units installed on the villa’s rooftop had been removed. He immediately reported the incident, prompting a police investigation.

Officers collected forensic evidence from the scene, which later led to the identification of the suspect. Investigators established that the defendant was already serving a sentence in a similar theft case.

A forensic laboratory report confirmed that the defendant’s fingerprints were found on the external casing of one of the stolen air-conditioning units, directly linking him to the crime scene and strengthening the prosecution’s case.

During questioning, the defendant admitted to stealing the units and confessed to committing similar thefts in other incidents. His confession was corroborated by forensic evidence and witness statements submitted to the court.

Based on the evidence presented, the court found the defendant guilty of theft, sentencing him to one year in prison, imposing a fine equivalent to the value of the stolen items, and ordering his deportation upon completion of his jail term.

The ruling reflects the UAE judiciary’s firm approach to tackling property crimes, particularly repeat offences, and its continued efforts to protect private property through strict enforcement of the law.

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