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Pink Panther’s Wafi heist car on show

The car used by the infamous Pink Panther Gang during the 2007 robbery at Wafi Mall, which imitated a scene from a Hollywood action movie and saw Dh14.7 million worth of jewellery stolen, has now taken up residence at the Dubai Police Museum.

Director of the General Department of Criminal Investigation of Dubai Police Brigadier Khalil Ibrahim Al Mansouri said Commander-in-Chief Lt-Gen Dhahi Khalfan Tamim brought attention to the importance of keeping this car, as it reflected the ingenious work of Dubai Police in cracking the case.

On his orders, the police bought the notorious vehicle from the rental car office where it has resided since the crime. The hole which was made by the gang was modified with glass panelling to allow visitors to see where the jewels were hidden during the failed heist.

Al Mansouri said this was not the usual practice of the Dubai Police but Lt-Gen Dhahi Khalfan’s idea of turning the car into a piece of art would showcase the brave and successful efforts of the police.

He said the recovery of the jewels brought the Dubai Police under the spotlight, as it was the first time the gang, who committed robberies for over 20 years, fell in the police net before managing to flee with the jewels.

On April 15, 2007, the armed robbers burst into the Wafi Mall in two stolen Audi A8s and drove them through the glass facade. They stopped at the House of Graff, stunning the shoppers, and fled with diamonds.

news@khaleejtimes.com