The General Directorate of Internal Security Forces - Public Relations Division issued the following statement: "As part of the special operations carried out by the Information Branch of the Internal Security Forces to curb car thefts in various Lebanese regions, the branch, through daily follow-ups and by cross-referencing data, managed to identify the activities of a gang executing car thefts of 'Kia' cars in several Lebanese areas, the latest being the theft of a white 'Kia Picanto' from Amchit, on February 17, 2022.
Following this, the specialized units of the branch intensified their field and intelligence measures to uncover the identities of those involved, leading to the identification of the members of this gang, including the mastermind, named:
- M. R. (born 1969, Lebanese) nicknamed 'the Chawish.' He is known for being very cautious in his movements and has previous convictions for crimes including car theft, drug trafficking and usage, counterfeiting currency, and forgery and use of forgery.
Consequently, orders were issued to locate and apprehend him as quickly as possible. On February 20, 2022, after close surveillance, he was spotted traveling from Akkar towards the Mount Lebanon area to carry out a car theft. Immediately, patrols from the branch executed a tight ambush in the city of Tripoli, where they managed to arrest him.
Upon searching him, two knives, a forged identity card, a quantity of drugs, and a sum of money were found in his possession. During the investigation, he confessed to the following:
- He committed the theft of more than 90 cars from various areas in the governorates of Mount Lebanon, Beirut, the North, and the South, particularly of the 'Kia' brand.
- He independently executed about 30 thefts, and participated with others in more than 60 thefts.
- He sold the stolen cars in the Bekaa Region in exchange for money and drugs.
- He used the forged identity found in his possession to facilitate his movements.
- He admitted to drug use.
The necessary legal measures were taken against him, and he was placed with the confiscated items in the relevant department, based on the directives of the competent judiciary, and search and arrest notices against the other perpetrators were circulated."
