Conflict Incident Report

A man suspected of stealing jewelry and high-end watches valued at around $1 million was arrested by Internal Security Forces, a statement reported Saturday.

The suspect, identified as Lebanese national M.A., born in 1969, was arrested in Choueifat “less than 48 hours,” after he is believed to have robbed a house in Metn’s Qornet al-Hamra area, the ISF said.

The suspect and a number of other accomplices reportedly looted the villa of a businessman, identified as Q.S., born in 1952, on Feb. 5.

One man reportedly used a “military grade pistol” to intimidate the doorman and household workers, while others entered one of the rooms and stole the items.

The suspect reportedly confessed to committing the crime and reportedly identified a number of accomplices.

A number of the looted items were seized from the suspect’s brother’s house in the Zeidaniyeh area of Beirut.

The stolen goods included three gold and ivory statues, three FN Herstal pistols, six gold medals, five pairs of sunglasses, in addition to two Rolexes watches which had been sold to a Beirut merchant for $16,600.

The seized goods were returned to the owner and work is underway to identify the remaining suspect, ISF said.