Fake Cop, Real Threat: Violent Daylight Robbery Lands Defendant Back in Court

TDT | Manama

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In a chilling case of deception and violence, the First High Criminal Court of Appeal has ordered the formal notification of a defendant previously sentenced to three years in prison for a brazen robbery involving just 15 dinars, committed under threat and through impersonation of a public official.

Prosecutors charged the 32-year-old defendant with orchestrating the crime alongside an unidentified accomplice on September 21, 2025. The pair allegedly robbed the victim in a public area, using intimidation and physical assault to overpower him. Armed and posing as police officers, they restrained the victim unlawfully, using force and threats of serious harm to achieve their goal of financial gain.

According to the victim, a 41-year-old Asian man, the ordeal unfolded in broad daylight around 2:00 PM. He had been sitting in a company vehicle parked in an open area in Nuwaidrat, taking a lunch break, when the defendant and his accomplice arrived in another car. The accomplice approached the driver’s side window, while the defendant positioned himself on the right side. Both men falsely claimed to be police officers.

The defendant swiftly seized the car keys and the victim’s phone before forcibly dragging him out of the vehicle. Grabbing him by the neck, they demanded his wallet. When he refused, the accomplice struck him in the face four times and threatened to imprison him for 15 years. Despite his resistance, the attackers forced him into their vehicle, where the demands continued—along with threats extending to his family.

As the car moved, the situation escalated further. The defendant pulled out a small multi-purpose knife, shouting that he would place it against the victim’s neck if he did not hand over the wallet. Fearing for his life, the victim finally complied.

The assailants took the money inside the wallet before ordering the victim out of the car and fleeing. The victim later stated that the defendant appeared to be in an abnormal state at the time and was in possession of materials commonly associated with drug use.

During questioning, the defendant admitted that the vehicle used in the crime belonged to his mother but was under his possession at the time. Surveillance footage confirmed that the same vehicle was used in the incident. Police records further revealed that the victim identified the defendant three times during a lineup.

Authorities also confirmed that the defendant has a prior conviction in a drug-related case and was already wanted in connection with another drug offense at the time of his arrest.

In a striking detail, the victim claimed the defendant appeared to be under the influence of narcotics—despite having no prior acquaintance with him or knowledge of his background.