A woman in Sharjah recovered her car less than two hours after reporting it stolen on the evening of Thursday, September 24, 2026. The vehicle had been taken while its engine was still on.
Police are using the case to caution motorists who leave their cars idling during quick stops. Drivers heading into a shop, pulling up at a gas station, or stepping out to use an ATM should turn off the engine, lock every door, and take any valuables with them, authorities said.
Residents were also reminded that 999 is the number for emergencies, while 901 handles inquiries and matters that are not urgent.
The theft first reached the police operations room through the owner’s call. Specialized units were deployed to the field right away, tracked down the car, and arrested the man believed to have taken it. He was brought to a police station to face legal procedures, and the vehicle was handed back to the woman.
According to Sharjah Police, even a brief moment away from a running car gives opportunistic thieves an opening, and doing so is classified as a traffic violation under the emirate’s rules.
