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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Police have discovered a 25 metre-long tunnel stretching into a gold shop in an apparent robbery attempt in the town of Khabat in Erbil. Authorities believe a group of internally displaced persons (IDPs) from the Nineveh Plains are responsible.
Hemin Qadir mayor of Khabat town, west of Erbil, told Rudaw that on Friday police foiled an attempted robbery of a gold shop via a tunnel dug from a house being rented by some IDPs.
"The goldsmith had connected his shop's smart devices and surveillance cameras with his mobile to warn him of fire incidents from his shop. One day his mobile's alarm rang and he immediately rushed to the scene and informed police of the incident," Qadir detailed.
"When the police and security forces arrived at the scene, they noticed a 25 meter-long tunnel stretching from a house behind the shop was dug in order to reach the gold shop," he added.
The alleged diggers of the tunnel have fled.
Qadir explained, "They have used advanced excavators and other equipment. They have also created air holes to ventilate the tunnel. During the day they worked on it and at nights disposed of the soil."
The house behind the shop was rented by the group two months earlier, Qadir said. “Apparently, they had plotted for this robbery before."
"The robbers are from the Nineveh Plains and displaced to Khabat town due to ISIS attacks," he said. "Their identities have remained unknown since they have fled, but the house's owner has been detained for questioning."
Hemin Qadir mayor of Khabat town, west of Erbil, told Rudaw that on Friday police foiled an attempted robbery of a gold shop via a tunnel dug from a house being rented by some IDPs.
"The goldsmith had connected his shop's smart devices and surveillance cameras with his mobile to warn him of fire incidents from his shop. One day his mobile's alarm rang and he immediately rushed to the scene and informed police of the incident," Qadir detailed.
"When the police and security forces arrived at the scene, they noticed a 25 meter-long tunnel stretching from a house behind the shop was dug in order to reach the gold shop," he added.
The alleged diggers of the tunnel have fled.
Qadir explained, "They have used advanced excavators and other equipment. They have also created air holes to ventilate the tunnel. During the day they worked on it and at nights disposed of the soil."
The house behind the shop was rented by the group two months earlier, Qadir said. “Apparently, they had plotted for this robbery before."
"The robbers are from the Nineveh Plains and displaced to Khabat town due to ISIS attacks," he said. "Their identities have remained unknown since they have fled, but the house's owner has been detained for questioning."
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