Two ‘police officers’ face trial for assault and theft

TDT | Manama

Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

Two men who posed as a police officer and accomplice are on trial for assaulting a motorist and stealing BD96 through a phone app.

The First High Criminal Court opened the case and kept both in custody.

The next hearing is set for 2 November.

According to the case file, the driver pulled over when the second defendant signalled him to stop.

He got into the car, said he was a police officer, searched the vehicle and took the driver’s phone.

Motorist

The suspect then told the motorist to head to a nearby dirt lot, where the first defendant was waiting.

There, the first defendant demanded the PIN for one of the victim’s financial applications. The driver refused.

He was punched on the shoulder and neck and slapped on the left cheek, prompting him to give up the PIN.

Investigators say the second defendant used it to move BD96 to his own account through the app.

Slap

In questioning, the first defendant said he went with his co-accused into the victim’s car to ask for money linked to a visa and admitted slapping the victim.

Checks with the financial company showed the second defendant as the beneficiary of the transfer.

A record search found the first defendant had been charged before in a separate narcotics case.

Indictment

The indictment states the second defendant entered the victim’s car, claimed to be a police officer, took the phone and demanded the PIN, while the co-defendant’s assault stopped the victim from resisting.

It also alleges unlawful access by the second defendant to the victim’s information-technology system.

The case returns to the First High Criminal Court on 2 November.