Conflict Incident Report

Three men were arrested on suspicion of impersonating public institution employees to rob houses in Metn, the Internal Security Forces announced Sunday.

The perpetrators gained access to homes by impersonating Ogero and Water Authority of Beirut and Mount Lebanon (EBML) employees. They then stole money and jewelry before making off in cars with counterfeit license plates, an ISF statement said.

Lebanese national B.Sh., born in 1972, was arrested in Khaldeh.

The “majority” of the suspects have previously been charged with theft, according to the statement.

The suspects reportedly admitted to robbing five houses and attempting to rob several others in Metn. The ISF also raided the men's houses and seized guns, fake license plates and cash.

Ogero released a statement in light of the arrests warning subscribers against letting in “anyone claiming to be an Ogero technician” without asking to see a company ID card to confirm their identity.

“Ogero employees do not enter homes except for the utmost technical urgencies mentioned in circulars and decisions issued by ... the Commission,” the state-run telecoms company clarified.