Authorities warn that leaving vehicles unattended with the engine running makes them easy targets for opportunistic theft and constitutes a traffic violation
SHARJAH, Sept. 26, 2026 : Sharjah Police tracked down and recovered a stolen vehicle within two hours of receiving an emergency report from a woman whose car was taken while left unattended with its engine running, authorities announced Saturday.
The operation began on the evening of Thursday, September 24, when the Sharjah Police Operations Room received a distress call reporting the immediate theft of the vehicle.
Specialized investigation and field patrol teams were dispatched across the sector to trace the car’s movements. Officers intercepted the vehicle, took the suspect into custody, and recovered the car undamaged before handing it back to its owner.
The suspect was transferred to a local police station to complete formal booking procedures before referral to the public prosecution.
Following the recovery, Sharjah Police issued an advisory cautioning motorists against leaving their vehicles running when unattended, pointing out that brief lapses in vigilance provide opportunistic criminals an effortless opening.
Under UAE federal traffic regulations, leaving an engine running while stepping away from a vehicle constitutes a punishable traffic offense. Law enforcement officials reminded drivers that stepping away to use automated teller machines, pick up groceries, or complete transactions at petrol station convenience stores—regardless of how brief the stop may seem—exposes the vehicle to immediate risk.
Police urged motorists to adopt essential preventative measures, including turning off the ignition, locking all doors securely, and removing personal valuables from visible areas inside the cabin.
The public was reminded to report emergency incidents and urgent crimes via 999, while non-emergency cases, general inquiries, and community services should be directed to the 901 call center.
