The General Directorate of Internal Security Forces - Public Relations Division issued the following statement: On November 4, 2022, a citizen reported that an unknown individual had broken into his home in a town in Mount Lebanon and stolen an amount of $1,050,000 from a safe.
Subsequently, the relevant units of the Information Division of the Internal Security Forces began their field and investigative procedures to apprehend the perpetrators. Through inspection and monitoring of the stolen safe, as well as witness testimonies, the division was able to identify the suspects in the robbery, who are Syrians:
- A. A. (born 1978)
- F. A. (born 1988), the wife of the first
- A. A. (born 1999)
As a result of ongoing field investigations, the specialized units pinpointed their location in the Bekaa region. Orders were then given for patrols to arrest them and search their homes.
On November 11, 2022, after careful surveillance, the patrols managed to arrest the third suspect in the Deir Znoune area while in a Chevrolet vehicle. Upon searching him and his residence, they found an amount of 19,083,000 L.L. and $8,600. Additionally, a substantial amount was hidden in his family's house, totaling 21,350,000 L.L. and $28,235. The first two suspects were also arrested at their home in Bar Elias, where $941,378 was found. The total estimated value of the seized cash amounted to 40,433,000 L.L. and $978,213.
During the investigation, the third suspect confessed that while working as a caretaker and maintenance worker around the complainant’s house, he noticed the safe inside and suggested the idea of stealing it to the first suspect, his brother-in-law, who agreed. They executed the robbery at the beginning of October at night, removing the safe from its secured location and breaking it open with a crowbar and large hammer, stealing the money inside. They then moved to the Bekaa, hiding a significant portion of the money at A. A.’s home, where his wife, F. A., who was aware of the theft, concealed the funds.
The suspects admitted to spending part of the stolen money on buying a car, household furnishings, clothing, expenses for the third’s wedding, and daily expenses, approximating the amount spent to around $70,000. The seized money was returned to the complainant, and legal measures were taken against the arrested individuals, who were detained by the relevant authority based on judicial orders.
