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Some local news - last night between 1am and 5am the Zakher mall on Dohat al Adab street in Al Khuwair was robbed in quite spectacular fashion. The security guards for the mall clock off and go home at 1am apparently, and so the thieves waited until the guards knocked off and then they made their move.
First they smashed the window next to the PAN Furniture entrance and then broke into the main mall via the glass doors from within the PAN store. Once inside the mall proper, the thieves then started smashing the windows to stores and helped themselves to cash and goods reported to be worth over 10,000 rials.
So if you see a killer deal for a camera, or some sunglasses on Muscat buy or sell, perhaps it came from this robbery. In an interesting twist, there was absolutely no CCTV provided by Zakher mall, but a new CCTV system was being installed and was due to be completed today. Amusing that the place got knocked over last night.
Someone in the PAN store mentioned to me that they had their own spy camera, but it was not actually working, and was so therefore useless. It turns out that a jewelry store in the mall did have it's own CCTV system and there are rumours that one of the nefarious scallywags has been caught on film. Muscat's finest are on the case and I guess this story will be in the papers tomorrow.
I popped in to check on one of Mrs Sythes preferred clothing stores, Unique Star Fashion, but thankfully they got through the night unscathed. I did notice some very nice dresses there though!
le fin.
Zakher Mall broken into last night
Reviewed by Sythe
on
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Rating:
Reviewed by Sythe
on
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Rating:
Muscat Gems was broken into as well as several other stores but as I am the only business to have CCTV and an alarm the guy smashed the door down and entered the store but quickly ran out when the alarm started and he had spotted the cameras filming him.
ReplyDeleteI am shocked I am the only business at Zakher that has any security - I am sure they will up the anti now!!
I am so lucky my alarm scared him off and I have not lost one single thing from my shop.
Can't believe there was only one guy in the Mall though - too many shops broken into, too much stuff taken, it all must have taken a long time.
Muscat Gems will re-open when I get a front door - (Mall is now guarded 24/7 in case anyone thinks this is a good chance for a nightime visit).
On a happier note - Zakher Mall has a great promotion running, every purchase of over 10 omr in the Mall gets you a raffle ticket entry for a draw with many exciting prizes. (Sorry to advertise but onwards and upwards). Regards Debbie, Muscat Gems. (MM, wow you managed to beat the press).
I'm amazed that they actually found anything worth stealing in Zakher Mall.
ReplyDeleteApparently there were five thieves, which effectively means that the footfall in Zakher Mall was doubled for the week.
ReplyDeleteI would like to reply to the person who wrote 'I'm amazed that they actually found anything worth stealing in Zakher Mall' and to BigManInOman. How dare you - how ignorant you both are. Not only do I source rare and valuable gemstones from all over the world but I also have all of my stones set by hand to the highest standards.
ReplyDeleteYour dum ass comments are astounding - and I guess you both have never owned or ran a business in your life. I would like to see you try but doubt very much that either of you have a brain or the know how and are nothing more than a paid sheep somewhere!
Do come and pay me a visit when I am open again - IF YOU Dare, but then again my jewellery store attracts educated customers who appreciate an honest company opening up a business to sell 100% natural gemstones from.
Also for the record, every single shop space is now rented at Zakher, the place might have gone through a bad phase a few years ago but is nothing like that now.
Debbie Sutherland A.G.
Owner - Muscat Gems, Zakher Mall.
'rare and valuable gemstones'.. but they still decided to take their time and clear out the sunglasses store instead :-)
ReplyDeleteDebbie - please can you email me on mrsythe @ gmail.com ?
ReplyDeleteYour website does not have a contact email address - and I hate using web-forms!
sunglasses for sale.
ReplyDeleteMuscat Gems has security cameras.
Muscat Gems has an alarm.
Thief entered - alarm sounded - thief ran out.
Am not sure what you are infering but am sure its the usual sarcastic nastiness that goes hand in hand with comment sections on blogs.
I know what happened, I know what time he checked out my store before coming back to it a couple of hours later - probably leaving it till last because of the alarm.
Debbie
Thank to Debbie's attitude it is time to now avoid Zakher Mall. And for your info from those of us who have lived nearby for years Zakher Mall is a small specialised Mall that is not attractive to families unless you are looking for somthing specific. I for one havent visited that place is years now and shall avoid your shop like a plague. And my first thought at hearing this news - they must have been desperate for anything to break into that place.
ReplyDeleteA. A. Ali
sunglassesForSale
ReplyDeleteAre you naturally thick or do you have to practise to be such an idiot?
Sunglasses shop - no alarm fitted
Muscat Gems - alarm and cctv Duh!
If the thief had not been scared off by the alarm it is probable that Muscat Gems would have suffered losses far in advance of other shops you numpty! Try to catch up!
Anonymous
ReplyDelete"I for one havent visited that place is years now" - yet you feel fit to make comment about the place? How stupid is that? Don't you think you should check your facts before going off half-cocked about something you know nothing about? Do you practise to be this stupid or does it come naturally to you? It's staggering the poor level of intellect you show. Getyour facts right first sunshine!!
A. A. Ali
ReplyDeleteAgain, another comment which shows nothing but ignorance.
If anyone is implying negative things about my business then I have every right to put the record straight.
You have said yourself that you have not entered Zakher Mall for years - so how do you know what is in there? How do you know if the shops are good or bad?
You do not so therefore your comments mean nothing at all.
As for avoiding my shop - couldn't care less - as I said before, its for educated customers who are fed up buying fake jewellery and stones and appreciate the fine reputation that we are building in the jewellery trade in Oman.
Debbie
Muscat Gems
Debbie
ReplyDeleteGood luck to you with your business and ignore the stupid ignoramuses on this site.
Muscat has been a haven for scam merchants with fake gemstones for too long. I only hope A.A. Ali and his thick idiot friends have been duped by these people! I'm glad you had the sense to have an alarm where others hadn't. I just hope they catch the blokes responsible.
I think the negative comments would be replace by genuine sympathy if Debbie's comments weren't such shameless sales pitches.
ReplyDeleteTake a moment to stop promoting yourself and offer some sympathy for the neighboring shops that did get robbed.
When did an alarm and a camera ever stop anyone? if they'd invested in robbing the clothes shop of a couple of hats then they could have doubled their take!
ReplyDeleteIf anyone spots and of the stolen items on Muscats classified sites like www.muscatads.com, or Muscat Buy & Sell on Facebook, then maybe the police could trace the items back to the thieves?
ReplyDeleteKeep your eyes open!
Anonymous
ReplyDeleteWho the hell do you think you are?!
You make the most ill-informed comments about a subject you know nothing about and expect people to pay heed to your drivel?
Debbie is right to put right the misinformation about Zakher Mall here. She at least knows the facts whereas you and others spout undiluted rubbish which only comes across as some kind of paranoia (look it up) (in a dictionary) (that's a book with words and no colouring-in pages)
Robbo
ReplyDeleteThe camera didn't stop the break-in but the alarm scared him off when it kicked in. So this is one time when it did stop someone.
I am a resident of Oman who has a right to an opinion (without feeling the need to get irate or be rude)
ReplyDeleteThat's who I am.
Thanks flyonthewall (Debbie?)for sharing your worldly knowledge on books.
Take care no one swats you!
Dunno. I agree with the other comment. In the UK / Europe & USA noone gives a second thought to alarms. Only a matter of time for that here..
ReplyDeleteand once it goes off it doesn't mater which shop the thieves are in, it still alerts passes by. The only deterrent is the camera. Which could have been overcome by some simple headgear. So the thieves are pretty inexperienced naive.. and obviously knew then new security was going in the mall the next day.
We shouldn't need Poindexter to solve this one.
To the person who wrote the following:-
ReplyDelete'I think the negative comments would be replace by genuine sympathy if Debbie's comments weren't such shameless sales pitches.
Take a moment to stop promoting yourself and offer some sympathy for the neighboring shops that did get robbed.'
Why don't you take a moment to actually read something properly. I very clearly stated that ZAKHER MALL is running a promotion. It did not say MUSCAT GEMS so please get your facts right.
I was promoting the Zakher Mall Managements promotion that is in operation for every single business in the mall - I was using this terrible event to help get all the businesses back on track. The same way as I created the Zakher Mall facebook page for ALL THE BUSINESSES at Zakher.
Debbie
Muscat Gems
To the person who wrote this also:-
ReplyDelete(I am a resident of Oman who has a right to an opinion (without feeling the need to get irate or be rude)
That's who I am.
Thanks flyonthewall (Debbie?)for sharing your worldly knowledge on books.
Take care no one swats you!)
................................
I sign my name when I write something because I don't have to hide behind cowardly anonymous comments. If someone is telling you what they think about your comments then deal with it. Asw for 'take care no one swats you' if thats a veiled threat towards me then you really are showing what a complete idiot you are.
Debbie - Muscat Gems. Guilty of opening a shop in Zakher Mall...Guilty of working hard to improve the reputation of the place. Guilty for installing cctv and an alarm that goes directly to the ROP so I don't get robbed. We all work together at Zakher Mall and we all look out for each other.
wow the gems lady replying to her own comments in the third person comes off as a real beeatch. I've never been to the store but will most definitely point people away from it if the topic ever comes up. Tone down the piss-poor attitude, lady.
ReplyDeleteZakhar Mall is a weird place - at least in the mornings. Loads of people passing through, but only to pay their bills upstairs at OIFC or downstairs at Omantel. Not sure what it's like in the afternoon/evening; hopefully it comes to life then but I dont hold my breath. Without those 2 places, the mall would be DEAD.
ReplyDeleteI've been paying my bills there for about 4 years, and I've always disliked the place. I only go there because I can park easily. Originally, you had to run the gauntlet of lots of Omani guys sitting having coffee and smoking heavily. Now that smoking is banned inside, the cafe does not seem to get well used. As for shops - I looked around PAN once and never bothered again it was so awful.
As for Muscat gems - are you the store with a display unit on the right just after the entrance? If you are, then I gave you a quick glance and dismissed your products. Or are you a proper shop that I have failed to notice? I like necklaces etc, so if I've been in the mall month after month for years and yet am unable to recall your store, then you need to think about your advertising/first impressions/prominence, because I suspect it is letting you down. You can't just rely on word of mouth. Let this event be a wakeup call to rethink how you promote your business. And if you're doing fine, great, but my experience suggests that you could be doing better still.
Wow! Somebody else making anonymous comments when they don't know what the heck they are on about!
ReplyDeleteFor your information, Muscat Gems is at the shop where Muscat Pharmacy used to be. I suggest you might like to visit an optician if you haven't seen it. And you will also find Muscat Gems promoted on Facebook and on the net, plus Debbie Sutherland has been a regular contributor as features writer on Muscat Daily.
I would suggest you are completely out of the loop in the modern world as Muscat Gems is one of the most visited business pages on Facebook. Ever heard of that? Or are you still reading Readers Digest? Try googling anything to do with gems and muscat and see what results you get? You seem to be such an expert in business what business are you running? Numpty
Paranoia:
ReplyDeleteA form of mental disorder characterized by constant delusions, esp of grandeur, pride, persecution.
I guess that might apply to some people on here.
Facebook - who looks at Facebook these days it is SO last year.
ReplyDeleteI had a look at the Muscat Gemstones website, and I stand by my comments about having a serious look at how you present yourself. Has no-one ever told you that it is a VERY BAD idea to write in CAPITALS AS IT IS VERY ANNOYING TO TRY AND READ CAPITALS ALL THE TIME????? A BIT LIKE SHOUTING AT PEOPLE - THEY DON'T LIKE IT AS IT'S NOT VERY NICE TO PUT UP WITH.
ReplyDeleteWow, seriously... if your shop was vandalized you'd be upset too. Plus how off topic are you???
ReplyDeleteThe lack of security was the point here and now its suddenly all about being condescending.
Go read a book dude. If you weren't so insecure you wouldnt be anonymous
wow this narcissist debbie has totally hijacked this page with multiple usernames. Put a lid on your rude comments and lose the attitude. I've never heard of your failure of a shop before, and if it ever comes up, will be sure to let people know what an unpleasant character runs the place.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous - looks like my comments have hit their target! Are you feeling all upset you poor paranoid thing? Ha ha ha!!!
ReplyDelete'I am a resident of Oman who has a right to an opinion. That's who I am'. As long as your opinions relate to the facts and not some rubbish made up in your tiny brain? And to think that I am Debbie? Sharpen up son! Looking forward to your next irrelevant diatribe.
ReplyDeletePS "flyonthewall"
ReplyDeleteWhile I appreciate the support I don't think the tone or language needs to be so harsh?
Thanks
John
My other comment won't publish!
ReplyDeleteI'm Debbie's husband and will be happy to correspond by email.
omanjohn@gmail.com
John
It worked! You can tell I'm good with computers!
ReplyDeleteJohn
I publish and it shows. Then it disappears. I give in!
ReplyDeleteHi
ReplyDeleteI am John Sutherland, Debbie's husband.
I am amazed at the nasty responses to posts on here! Please re-read Debbie's first post, she just gives more information about the excellent blog, then tells a little about Zakher.
I would agree with certain anonymous bloggers that, in the past, Zakher was run-down. Nowadays it is a different place. The smoking ban means that the Cafes are quite pleasant to be in, there is plenty of parking (especially at the back) and all of the shop units are rented. Plus the management have responded to requests to brighten the place up. Sorry if it sounds like an advert, just trying to correct false impressions!
It has been a traumatic couple of days, as you can imagine. We were lucky not to lose a lot of valuables and we commiserate with our friends in the Mall who did. But they in turn are glad we had cctv/alarm (as are the ROP!) which eventually scared the robbers off after a couple of hours of looting.
oufy 'topcat' al kalbani, you are very welcome to visit, as are the rest of you. Come and meet Debbie or Luz (nice lady who works there).
If anyone has an issue then please email me direct at omanjohn@gmail.com
Thanks
John Sutherland
WHAT A PAIR YOU 2 MAKE!
ReplyDeleteAnd Anonymous
ReplyDeleteYou are such a lovely chap yourself!
John
Have they caught them yet??
ReplyDelete'I am a resident of Oman who has a right to an opinion. That's who I am'. As long as your opinions relate to the facts and not some rubbish made up in your tiny brain? And to think that I am Debbie? Sharpen up son! Looking forward to your next irrelevant diatribe.
ReplyDeletehas noone noticed that 'anonymous' is a posting option on blogger? I am a new 'anonymous' and not any of the other ones.
ReplyDeleteIt does seem like some people are posting under different / multiple names, but I wouldn't assume all the ones named 'anonymous' are the same ones.
..but I agree. Debbie from muscat Gems is a master of negative PR! :) Seems her husband is wise to this and trying to rescue the situation
....or her meds have kicked in.
ReplyDeleteI like the evening dress options at zakher mall, the sweet shop, ice cream shop, and occasionally something on sale at Pan. It isn't a family mall. But there are some shops worth going there for.
ReplyDeleteI hope they had insurance.
http://www.muscatdaily.com/Archive/Oman/Loss-from-thefts-under-RO700-Zakher-Mall/(language)/eng-GB
ReplyDeleteAs per the Zakher Mall management, the total loss from Saturday Night's thefts was less RO 700!!
Another Anonymous