The General Directorate of Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division issued the following statement: "On May 23, 2024, in the Nahr al-Mout area, two masked assailants stole jewelry weighing approximately 6 kg of gold, 18 mobile phones, and two watches from a company inside the "City Mall," and fled to an unknown location. Consequently, the specialized units of the Information Branch began their procedures, and as a result of thorough investigations and inquiries, they uncovered the identities of those involved in the robbery, who are the following Lebanese individuals:
- M. F. (born in 2003) (Employee at City Mall)
- A. T. (born in 2002)
- A. A. (born in 1999) (Employee at City Mall)
On May 25, 2024, after careful monitoring, the special forces of the branch conducted a simultaneous operation that led to the arrest of the first suspect in the al-Tell area of Tripoli while he was in a green Honda CR-V, and $3,800 was seized from him along with a bag containing tools used in thefts. The second suspect was arrested in Byblos with $196 and a knife, while the third was apprehended in the Doura area with $270.
During the investigation, the first and third suspects admitted to planning the robbery, stating that on the day of the execution, the third suspect did not show up due to an emergency. Thus, the first and second suspects proceeded with the robbery by remaining inside one of the mall's shops after it closed, executing the theft in the middle of the night and leaving in the morning after the doors opened, sharing the stolen items based on giving a small share to the third suspect after selling them. The first suspect indicated that his share of the stolen goods was at his home, where it was seized. The second suspect claimed that his share of the stolen items, excluding the phones, was stolen from him while he attempted to sell them.
Searching the first suspect's home revealed a military-type Kalashnikov rifle, a case, and a magazine containing 8 live rounds, as well as 8 mobile phones and approximately 2.8 kg of jewelry. The second suspect's home was found to contain 9 mobile phones and a wristwatch.
The seized items were returned to their owners, and the legal procedures against the arrested individuals were carried out, and they were transferred to the appropriate authority based on judicial orders. Ongoing efforts continue to arrest the remaining accomplices."
