Alarm over thefts in Satwa
By Irene Arsenia, Staff Reporter
DUBAI - Residents of Satwa, where a huge number of Filipinos live, have raised alarm over the rise in the number of recent reports about theft in the area.
This month, Filipina Casey Penaflor told media that her mobile phone was snatched from her hand as she was walking down December 2nd Street (formerly Al Diyafa Road) on November 7. The unknown suspect remains at large.
In September, the Roads and Transport Authority said it was installing cameras at bus stations at the busy Satwa bus depot following a string of thefts and pickpocketing incidents.
Several commuters reported incidents of theft at the bus station. “I realized my wallet was gone the moment I stepped on to a bus. It had my entire one month’s salary of AED 1,000, my Emirates ID and my labour card,” Aslam Khan told XPRESS. "It happened on a Thursday, exactly a week after my friend’s wallet was nicked from the same spot. He had about AED 400,” he added.
Another man said his mobile phone was stolen as he was waiting to board a bus at the station. “It was a Friday evening and we were all waiting in a queue to board the bus when I felt someone push me deliberately. As soon as I recovered, I realised my phone was gone and by the time I turned around to see who pushed me, the thief had already disappeared,” said the 34-year-old.
