The General Directorate of Internal Security Forces - Public Relations Division stated that "as part of the ongoing efforts by the Internal Security Forces to combat crimes of various types, especially motorcycle thefts throughout Lebanese territory, and following the increase in such thefts carried out by two unidentified individuals impersonating 'Municipal Police Officers' in several areas of Mount Lebanon, who targeted non-Lebanese individuals, one of the social media pages circulated a video showing them on a motorcycle wearing 'Municipal Police' uniforms, committing a fraudulent theft of a motorcycle from an individual in the Sin el-Fil area."
The statement indicated that "immediately, orders were given to the relevant units to carry out field and investigatory procedures to identify and arrest the suspects. Through continuous follow-up, the Information Division managed to identify them, including the ringleader, identified as S. H. H. (born in 1983, Lebanese), who has a criminal record for theft, forgery, and drug offenses, and has multiple arrest warrants against him."
The directorate announced that "on 19/01/2024, after surveillance and monitoring, one of the division's patrols was able to arrest him in Ain al-Rummaneh. Upon searching his house, the uniform he used during the thefts was confiscated."
It clarified that "in the investigation, he admitted to the charges against him regarding the execution of several motorcycle thefts in collaboration with another individual, both posing as 'Municipal Police Officers,' in the vicinity of Sin el-Fil and the Bashaa Bridge. He added that they would patrol on a motorcycle wearing 'Municipal Police' uniforms, and when they spotted a non-Lebanese person on a motorcycle, they would stop him and steal his bike, impersonating 'Municipal Police.' They would then sell the stolen motorcycles in the Sabra Camp and use the proceeds to buy drugs for their consumption."
The directorate circulated the suspect's photo and requested anyone who fell victim to his actions to contact the Information Division - Mount Lebanon branch at the number: 513732/01, to take the necessary legal measures.
