The following statement was issued by the General Directorate of Internal Security Forces - Public Relations Branch: "As part of ongoing efforts by the specialized units in the General Directorate of Internal Security to combat robbery and theft crimes across various Lebanese regions, and following an increase in such operations by a gang impersonating security personnel in the Beirut and Mount Lebanon governorates, the specialized units were tasked with intensifying their technical and investigative efforts to identify the gang members.
Through daily monitoring by the Information Branch and investigation of the crime locations, it became clear that the gang members used a white 'Renault Duster' vehicle with forged plates. They executed the following operations:
- On 22-10-2023: In the Dora area, robbed a citizen of his money and mobile phone.
- On 14-12-2023: In the Wadi Bridge area, robbed a citizen of 50 million Lebanese pounds.
- On 15-12-2023: In the Zalka area, robbed a citizen of 450 million Lebanese pounds.
- On 7-1-2024: In the Bourj Hammoud area, robbed a citizen of 5,300,000 Lebanese pounds and 182 US dollars.
- On 9-1-2024: In the Airport Road area, robbed a citizen of 5,000 US dollars.
- On 12-1-2024: In the Zouk Mosbeh area, robbed a citizen of a bag containing 200 million Lebanese pounds and his identification documents.
- On 12-1-2024: In the Nahr el-Kalb area, robbed a citizen of 2,660 US dollars and a mobile phone.
- On 20-1-2024: In the Dora area, robbed a citizen of a bag containing 150 US dollars and a driver's license.
- On 22-1-2024: On President Emile Lahoud Street, robbed a citizen of 700 US dollars after shocking him with an electric stun gun.
- On 23-1-2024: In the Antelias area, robbed a citizen of his wallet and money.
- On 24-1-2024: In the Tabarja area, robbed a citizen of 1,500 US dollars and 50 million Lebanese pounds.
- On 24-1-2024: In the Khalde area, robbed a citizen of 4,000 US dollars and 10 million Lebanese pounds.
- On 27-1-2024: In the Khalde area (under the bridge), robbed a citizen of 250 US dollars and 10 million Lebanese pounds.
As a result of investigations carried out by the branch, the individuals involved in these operations were identified as:
1. D. S. (born in 1989, Syrian)
2. M. F. (born in 1988, Syrian)
Orders were given to locate and arrest them as swiftly as possible. On 27-1-2024, after precise monitoring, the special force of the branch managed to arrest them in the southern suburbs, inside the vehicle used in the robberies, and seized a "lighter" shaped like a gun and some cash. Additionally, they found a police alarm system consisting of warning horns and a "danger siren," along with strobe lights in the vehicle.
During the investigation, they confessed to carrying out dozens of robbery operations while impersonating security personnel and using the "gun-lighter" in areas including: Jdeideh, Antelias, Bourj Hammoud, Dora, Zouk Mosbeh, Ghazir, Shweifat, Khalde, and Ashrafieh. They also admitted to renting another vehicle, a "Mini Cooper," from a person named O. M. (born in 1994, Lebanese), to use in their robberies in order to divert suspicion away from them and out of fear of being pursued by security forces.
On 28-1-2024, in the Jdeideh area, a patrol from the branch managed to arrest the latter and seized a military pistol from him. During the investigation, he confessed to the allegations against him, including drug trafficking. One of the branch’s patrols also recovered the "Mini Cooper" vehicle in the southern suburbs, where they found a large siren and a "danger siren" inside.
Legal proceedings were initiated against them, and they, along with the seized items, were referred to the concerned authority as per judicial instructions. Therefore, based on the instructions of the competent judiciary, the General Directorate of Internal Security is disseminating the photographs of the arrested individuals and requests that anyone who fell victim to their activities should approach the Information Branch - Mount Lebanon branch or contact the phone number: 513732-01 to take the necessary legal actions."