Arrest of a Gang Operating in Beirut and Mount Lebanon

The General Directorate of Internal Security Forces - Public Relations Division has issued the following statement: As part of the ongoing monitoring conducted by the Internal Security Forces to combat all types of crimes, including motorcycle theft. Information became available to the Information Branch about members of a gang cruising in a blue "Hyundai i10" vehicle and a motorcycle in the areas of Beirut and Mount Lebanon to carry out thefts. Among them is H. K. D. (born in 1992, Lebanese), who has a criminal record and has been previously arrested for theft crimes, and A. S. (born in 1983, Lebanese). Consequently, the special force of the branch conducted surveillance on the gang members in Antelias, where they were observed cruising along the coastal road in the Hyundai vehicle and watching the movements of a motorcycle in preparation for stealing it. Before the gang members could execute their theft, the branch’s patrols surrounded them and arrested them, thwarting their plan. Upon searching them, a military pistol with usable ammunition, an empty plastic container containing traces of cocaine, and two black bags containing tools used in their operations were seized. A third person, R. S. (born in 1984, Lebanese), who was riding a motorcycle with them, was also arrested; he has a prior criminal record for theft. The motorcycle, the military pistol with usable ammunition, and a quantity of hashish were seized. During the investigation, the first two admitted to the accusations against them regarding their involvement in several motorcycle thefts from various areas in Beirut and Mount Lebanon, by monitoring motorcycle riders and following them to where they park their motorcycles in specific locations, leading to the theft and getaway. The latest of these operations was in Antelias on May 27, 2023. They all admitted to drug use as well. Legal action was taken against them, and they, along with the seized items, were referred to the competent authority upon the judiciary's order, and efforts are underway to arrest other involved parties. A gang active in motorcycle theft in the areas of Beirut and Mount Lebanon, and the Information Branch reveals the identities of its members and arrests two of them along with another person accompanying them.