The General Directorate of Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division issued the following statement: "In the framework of the ongoing efforts by the Internal Security Forces to combat motorcycle thefts from various regions in Lebanon, information was received by the Information Branch regarding the operation of unknown individuals stealing motorcycles from different areas in Mount Lebanon. Following this, the specialized units in the branch intensified their field and investigative efforts to identify those involved in these incidents. As a result of investigations and inquiries, their identities were established as follows:
- F. A. S. (born in 1992, Lebanese) with /3/ judicial warrants for theft
- M. A. (born in 1991, Lebanese)
On 30-11-2023, following careful surveillance, one of the branch’s patrols spotted them riding a black and red motorcycle in the Ghobeiry – Airport Bridge area, where they were apprehended in a well-planned ambush, and the motorcycle was seized, which turned out to be stolen. A search of them and the motorcycle revealed a bag containing tools used for theft, a nylon envelope containing heroin, and cash sums.
During the investigation, they admitted to the accusations against them concerning the execution of more than /30/ motorcycle thefts from various areas in the southern suburbs, selling them to a person in the Ain El Remaneh area for /200/ US dollars, and that the motorcycle seized was stolen from the Hayy al-Sulm area on the date of their arrest. The first one confessed to a previous incident of shooting at an individual, injuring his leg because of a dispute over a stolen motorcycle and drug use, while the second confessed to committing thefts related to electrical wires and Internet devices, among other items, as well as drug use.
Legal measures were taken against them, and they were referred along with the seized items to the relevant authority based on judicial instructions."
