Conflict Incident Report

Three individuals suspected of stealing cars and transporting them into Syria have been arrested, the Internal Security Forces announced. An ISF statement reported that the agency arrested a suspect identified as M.A. in Beirut’s southern suburbs on June 14, after he allegedly stole the car he was driving from the Beshara Khoury neighborhood. M.A. was reportedly carrying tools used for car thefts. After his arrest, the home of another suspect, identified as F.Y., was raided and both F.Y. and his wife were arrested. Another vehicle allegedly used in car thefts was seized by the ISF at this time. While under interrogation, the arrested suspects admitted to conducting more than 10 car thefts in Beirut and Mount Lebanon. “They also admitted to transporting the cars to the Bekaa to be prepared to be smuggled into Syria,” the statement said. The suspects also admitted to using narcotics, the ISF statement said. Investigations are ongoing to apprehend the rest of the theft ring.