According to police, the duo carried out a chain of robberies in the west of the capital, breaking into shops at night and intimidating staff during days to snatch money or valuables.

The initial complaint was made by an expatriate working for a shop in the west of Riyadh where the two armed robbers threatened the cashier and took the cash box from the shop.

Another expatriate complained to police that the same men came in a GMC vehicle to his pharmacy and took the cash box after assaulting the cashier. On receiving the complaints, police took quick action to cordon off the area and were successful in arresting one of the suspects, who is in his 20s.

Police found SR2,500 cash in the pocket of the suspect and in his car was a green bag containing a black pistol, SR2,000 in cash, four stolen mobiles, passports and the cash boxes taken from the shops.

The police said the suspect confessed to the crimes and, based on his testimony, they are looking for the second suspect who was involved with him in the robberies.