KUWAIT CITY, Jan 18: What was meant to be a routine annual leave turned into a series of unfortunate events for an Asian expatriate after his vehicle and cash were stolen in Salmiya, according to security sources.

The expatriate filed a report at the Salmiya police station stating that his white 2014 Japanese sedan had been stolen. He explained that after cashing his vacation cheque for KD 640 at a bank, his vehicle suffered a flat tire. He then drove to a nearby tire repair shop for assistance.

According to his statement, while he was busy paying at the shop, an unknown individual took advantage of the vehicle being left running, entered it, and fled with the car and the cash obtained from the cheque.

The case was referred to the Criminal Security Sector, where investigations were launched immediately. Authorities reviewed surveillance footage from the tire shop and used biometric fingerprint technology, which led to the identification of the suspect as a Kuwaiti citizen employed by a government entity.

Following a warrant issued by the Public Prosecution, the suspect was arrested and taken to the Salmiya police station. During questioning, he confessed in full detail to committing the theft.

Investigations by the Criminal Investigation Department confirmed the suspect’s involvement. He later guided police to the stolen vehicle, which was recovered in the Rumaithiya area in front of a cooperative society.

A security source cautioned motorists against leaving vehicles running unattended, noting that such negligence provides easy opportunities for theft and is among the leading causes of similar crimes. The source did not confirm whether the suspect had followed the victim after he left the bank.