ROP cautions against keeping cash at home

Muscat: A woman was tied up and robbed in her own home by an attacker, who then tried to flee the country, police have revealed.
The man, identified as an Asian national, stole more than OMR17,000 from her home, according to a statement by the Royal Oman Police (ROP).
“The Department of Investigations and Criminal Investigations, led by the South Batinah Police Department, in cooperation with the Department of Investigation and Criminal Investigation of Barka Police station, arrested the accused — an Asian national — for managing to steal more than OMR17,000 from an Asian woman after he tied her hands in her residence in Wilayat Barka,” the ROP said. According to a spokesperson at the ROP, the victim knew her attacker.
“The crime is considered a forceful robbery. She knew her attacker and that is why it is important to always be aware of your belongings, regardless of how special the other person is. Even with the most important people, we have to be careful,” the spokesperson said.
The suspect was arrested at the Muscat International Airport when he tried to leave the country. “As soon as a name is brought to the attention of the police, it is automatically communicated to the concerned authorities to keep them from leaving the country. This is how he was caught,” the spokesperson said.
“He was caught with all the stolen money, and was charged with the crime. He was referred to the prosecution to complete the rest of the legal proceedings,” the ROP said.
Last year, an Indian cash collector was found murdered in his apartment.
Satyan, 50, was found by a flatmate sitting upright in a chair in his Muttrah apartment. His throat had been cut. The ROP had said, “early investigations” show that the “possible motive was robbery.”
“Never keep large amounts of cash in your home and if you do, make sure you have a proper safe to put it in. Always be aware of the people around you, especially when you have that much cash,” the ROP advised.