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Conflict Incident Report

ISF arrests thief impersonating Ogero, EBML staff in Haret Hreik

Date of incident: 
March 11, 2018
Death toll: 
0persons
Number of Injured: 
0persons
Actors/Parties Involved: 
Internal Security Forces (ISF)
Lebanese Civilians

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

A Lebanese national, identified as I.N., born in 1983, was arrested in Haret Hreik.

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.

Primary category: 
Raid
Secondary Category: 
Arrest/Detention
Classification of conflict (primary): 
Individual acts of violence
Violent incidents which do not have a specific or a known political agenda but are caused by the general proliferation of weapons, of trained and untrained soldiers or militants, by the general inefficiency of the Justice system, and past-traditions and histories of violence within society.