JEDDAH — The security police apprehended an Ethiopian gang that had been robbing pedestrians in Al-Bawadi and Al-Rabwah neighborhoods of north Jeddah. Undercover cops observed a man suspiciously following a pedestrian in an alley. He signaled to three members of his gang, while a fourth walked in front of the victim. He dropped a bundled wad of money with SR100 bills on either side. The victim picked up the money and headed to hand him the money. The rest of the gang then gathered around the victim and accused him of stealing the money. At that moment, the undercover cops rushed in and apprehended them. The gang used the ploy of a money bundle with SR100 bills on both sides and blank paper inside. They drop the bundle in an alley, and when a victim picks up the bundle to return it, they charge at him and accuse him of stealing. One of the gang then photographs the victim holding the bundle, and they threaten the victim of notifying the police using the photograph as evidence. Most victims submit to the threats, and hand over whatever money they have to these crooks. Jeddah police spokesman Lt. Nawaf Al-Bouq said the gang had committed many unreported robberies. In addition, tools used for car thefts were found in their possession. — SG
