KUWAIT CITY, Dec 17: The Criminal Security Sector’s General Department of Criminal Investigation in Hawally Governorate, through its Investigation department, has successfully solved a theft case involving gold jewelry and cash stolen from the handbag of a Gulf woman.

According to a security source, the Ministry of Interior’s operations room received a complaint from a Gulf national in her thirties who reported that her belongings had gone missing while she was at a women’s beauty salon. The complainant stated that after paying 70 Kuwaiti dinars for salon services, she discovered that her wallet was missing from her purse. The stolen items included a 24-carat gold ring and a Cartier-brand necklace valued at approximately 1,750 dinars, along with 300 dinars in cash. The total value of the stolen property was estimated at 2,050 dinars.

The woman confirmed that she had entered the salon with all her valuables in her possession, leading investigators to believe that the theft had been committed either by a salon employee or another customer present at the time. As a result, a case was registered under No. 2025/177 at the Hawalli Field Misdemeanors Office on charges of theft.

The source added that investigators reopened the case and took a second, more detailed statement from the victim. During questioning, she indicated that the theft most likely occurred while she was undergoing a facial steam and exfoliation treatment, a procedure that required her to remain relaxed with her eyes closed throughout the session.

The case file was subsequently referred to the Criminal Investigation Department, where detectives summoned the salon owner for questioning. The owner stated that there were no surveillance cameras inside the salon, explaining that cameras are prohibited in women’s service establishments due to privacy considerations. She further disclosed that the salon employs approximately 12 workers, including hairdressers and cleaning staff, representing various nationalities.

Investigators then re-interrogated the hairdresser who had provided the facial treatment to the victim. Although she confirmed administering the steam and exfoliation session, she denied any involvement in or knowledge of the theft, claiming that she was occupied with other duties at the time of the incident.

Further investigative efforts and statements obtained from other employees eventually led to suspicion focusing on another staff member. Upon being re-questioned, the suspect admitted to committing the theft. She confessed that she had taken advantage of her colleague’s momentary distraction and the client’s closed eyes to quickly open the victim’s handbag and steal the wallet and jewelry within seconds.

The accused further stated that she immediately rushed to the salon’s restroom, where she hid the stolen gold jewelry inside a toilet bowl, fearing that the employees might be searched. She then waited for an opportunity to retrieve the items and transport them to her apartment in the Hawalli area.

The suspect has been taken into custody, and legal procedures are underway as authorities continue to pursue the case in accordance with the law.