Basra: A well-planned ambush led to the capture of a jewelry store thief in Abu al-Khasib, south of Basra. The suspect had changed his clothes, switched his means of transport, and traveled more than 90 kilometers in an attempt to evade capture.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Basra Police Command announced that the Basra Anti-Crime Unit, in cooperation with the Information Technology Department, apprehended the suspect after a seven-day investigation. The suspect had broken into the jewelry store in the early morning hours, stealing gold jewelry and a personal HS pistol.

To mislead security forces, the thief changed his shirt from black to white and hired a white vehicle about two kilometers from the crime scene, driving to Saad Square. To avoid surveillance cameras, he asked the driver to stop on a bridge. He then hid behind a lamppost, hired a second vehicle, and continued moving around the city center from 4:00 AM until 6:00 AM, attempting to conceal his movements.

The police statement detailed how technical and investigative efforts, utilizing surveillance cameras, allowed authorities to trace the suspect's movements over a distance of more than 90 kilometers. His location was eventually pinpointed in the Nazran/Dur al-Tajawuz area. To further hide his identity, the suspect exited a taxi approximately three kilometers from his home. Once his identity was confirmed, a well-planned ambush was set up, and officers in civilian clothing successfully apprehended him.

The statement also revealed that the stolen pistol, another pistol, and a Kalashnikov rifle were found in the suspect's possession, along with materials used in the robbery. Legal proceedings have been initiated under Article (442) of the Penal Code.