During a time of unprecedented disaster, thieves have tried to take advantage of the situation. Authorities arrested Friday a group of eight Pakistani looters caught robbing houses and shops in flood-stricken Quwaizah. Five of them were illegal residents of the Kingdom. Following reports from residents that their houses had been looted, security forces deployed in Quwaizah District inspected houses and shops to investigate the crimes and type of stolen items. Forces from the Army and Air Force have joined Jeddah Police to protect flood-hit areas. Despite the incredible devastation of the district, some houses and shops remain almost intact. After close surveillance of people entering the district, police suspicions fell upon a man who came early every morning but stayed for only a short while. He apparently was checking locations with theft in mind. Security personnel followed him to his house and waited until later that night when he came out with his fellow countrymen. The men went to a shop offering to help, but ended looting electronic gadgets and even air conditioners which they took to their house. The security forces then raided the house and arrested the eight men, recovering mud-stained car spare parts, laptops, cell phones, and electronic devices from their house which had been converted into a warehouse of looted goods. An investigation of these looters is underway, said Misfer Al-Juaid, spokesman of the Jeddah Police Department. Al-Juaid has urged the public to report any suspicious activity in flood-hit areas in Jeddah. Over 230 suspected looters have been arrested in Quwaizah. “We are investigating them to determine if they have been engaged in looting activities,” he said. Security men from different Saudi forces work as an integrated force to protect flood-hit districts, he said. They patrol the districts and set up security checkpoints, Al-Juaid added. More residents from the area have now been seen returning home. The looters will be charged with grand larceny and burglary.
