The General Directorate of Internal Security Forces - Public Relations Division issued the following statement: "On the night of June 29, 2023, unknown individuals entered a wood warehouse in the town of Ain Alaq - Metn without breaking and entering, and stole wooden planks from inside, fleeing in two 'pick-up' trucks, one white and the other blue. The value of the stolen items was estimated at $2,200.
On July 5, 2023, a citizen, M.M. (born in 1993, Lebanese), residing in Douha Aramoun, reported that while leaving his home with his family, he was attacked by four armed and masked unknown individuals who attempted to rob him. However, he managed to escape their grasp and called for help from the building residents, causing the gang members to flee in an unknown direction.
As a result, the Information Branch of the Internal Security Forces was tasked with taking field and inquiry actions to identify and arrest the perpetrators. Following extensive investigations and monitoring, it was found that the same gang executed both the timber theft and the attempted robbery. The branch was able to identify its members, including: M.A. (born in 2000, Lebanese) and A.A. (born in 2000, Lebanese).
On July 13 and 14, 2023, after close surveillance, patrols from the branch managed to arrest them in the city of Zahle, and seized the white 'pick-up' truck belonging to the first suspect (used in the theft operation).
During the investigation, they confessed to the thefts and attempted robbery, collaborating with others, stating that they stole large quantities of timber and transported them using the two 'pick-up' trucks from Ain Alaq to the Bekaa, where they sold them to a timber sales establishment. They also attempted, with other masked individuals, to rob a citizen at gunpoint in Aramoun, but their attempt failed, and they fled the scene after the victim resisted them and local residents gathered.
One of the branch's patrols managed to recover all the stolen wooden planks and returned them to the claimant. Legal measures were taken against the detained individuals, and they were referred to the competent authority, based on judicial instructions, while efforts continue to arrest other involved parties."
