The General Directorate of Internal Security Forces - Public Relations Division issued the following statement: "On August 11, 2024, an unidentified individual broke into the office of the Lady of the Coast Church for the Melkite Catholics in Jal el-Dib, stealing seven "gold crosses" valued at approximately seven thousand US dollars. Orders were given to the Information Branch to carry out the necessary investigations to identify and arrest the perpetrator.
As a result of the follow-up, one of the patrols of the branch was able to identify the suspect, who was found to be: - M. S. (born in 1973, Lebanese), and he is wanted under more than 100 judicial warrants for crimes related to theft, robbery, drugs, and impersonation.
On August 15, 2024, following surveillance, one of the branch's patrols arrested him in the Ain Ramana area and seized the van used in the theft. During the investigation, he confessed to the theft committed at the church through breaking in, as well as multiple thefts in various areas such as Sabtieh and Bridge of the Pasha, including the Sabtieh Church, Assyrian School, and Caritas building, stating that he entered the sites under the pretense of selling cleaning materials before carrying out the thefts. He also admitted that he sold the stolen goods in the Sabra area to obtain drugs.
Legal actions have been taken against him, and the investigation is still ongoing under the supervision of the competent judiciary. Therefore, based on the instructions of the competent judiciary, the General Directorate of Internal Security Forces is disseminating his image and requesting anyone who has fallen victim to his actions to head to the Investigation Branch at the Information Division, located at the General Headquarters of the Internal Security Forces in Ashrafieh, or call 1788 to take the necessary legal actions."
