Man caught on camera stealing 20,000 Turkish Lira from casino customer’s jacket in Lefkosia

LEFKOSIA — A man identified as İÜ has been arrested and brought before the court after stealing ₺20,000 from another customer's jacket at a casino in Lefkosia. 

The suspect was identified through security camera footage and later confessed to the crime. His wife has since returned the stolen money to the police.

Police Officer who presented the details of the case to the court, stated that on May 1, 2025, the suspect entered the casino of a hotel on Bedrettin Demirel Avenue as a customer. There, he allegedly stole ₺20,000 in cash from the pocket of a jacket belonging to another customer, S.D., which had been left hanging on a chair.

Following the victim’s complaint, police launched an investigation and identified the suspect through surveillance footage. He was apprehended on May 2 and brought before the court on May 3, where a three-day detention order was issued. 

During that period, he gave a statement and admitted to the theft. Police also noted that the suspect’s wife voluntarily handed over the stolen amount to authorities.

With the investigation now complete, the police requested that İÜ, who is in the country on a valid work permit, be released under appropriate bail conditions.

The judge ordered that the suspect be prohibited from leaving the country, report to the police once every two weeks, and provide a guarantor to sign a personal surety bond in the amount of ₺100,000.