He just couldn't take his eyes off foreigners' bags

Twenty-six-year-old Rubel used to attend different events in Dhaka. Always sharply dressed, the former pick-up van drivers' intentions could not be guessed by his clothes.

Rubel was a handbag thief, one who preyed especially on foreigners, in a bid to make some easy money.

During his “career”, he was arrested a number of times but after receiving bail, he would go back to his old ways.

Yesterday, Detective branch (DB) of police arrested Rubel on the charge of theft of a Norwegian citizen's bag from the Shilpakala Academy on October 26.

Md Shahidullah, deputy commissioner of DB police, told The Daily Star that some Norwegian guest dramatists took part in a stage drama in Shilpakala Academy on October 26. During the performance, Norwegian citizen Stina Therese Loras's handbag was stolen.

After stealing the bag, Rubel went to his first wife's house. She demanded that he return it. Upon his refusal, they locked in a clash. At one point the glass of their almirah broke and punctured Rubel's skin, Khandaker Rabiul Arafat Lenin, Assistant Commissioner of DB police said.

Rubel was then admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital to receive treatment.

On information of the theft, DB started investigating the case and identified Rubel after analysing the academy's CCTV footage.

They reached out to his first wife who told them that he was admitted to DMCH. Rubel was then picked up from the hospital by the law enforcers.

The DB team also recovered Stina Therese Loras's laptop and passport, retuning them to her before she flew back to her country yesterday evening.

During interrogation, Rubel told investigators that he used to steal foreigners' bags as they carried valuables like dollars and laptops.

Rubel was previously arrested for the theft of the Netherland Ambassador's handbag on November 21, last year.