The broken display window of a jewelry store in Zahlé after a robbery committed in broad daylight, on February 20, 2026. (Credit: Photo received by our correspondent in the region, Sarah Abdallah)
BEIRUT — A man robbed a jewelry store in broad daylight on Friday in Zahle, the capital of the Bekaa, by breaking the shop window and seizing several gold jewels, all in about 15 seconds.
In a video captured by security cameras and obtained by L'Orient-Le Jour, the suspect can be seen using an object to break the glass, reaching through, and grabbing a handful of jewelry before fleeing with accomplices who were waiting for him in a car. The theft occurred while several people were near the shop, according to the video footage dated Feb. 20.
On Tuesday, there was also an attempted robbery in the Shtaura square, where three unidentified individuals riding a motorcycle tried to rob a jewelry store using an incapacitating pepper spray. However, the store owner resisted, forcing the attackers to flee to an unknown destination.
In response to these incidents, the Zahle Merchants Association called on the state to "take action to prevent such acts from happening again" and warned against any "negligence" in maintaining order.
Zahle MP Michel Daher, for his part, said the security situation had become "untenable" "in a context that reveals a rise in security lapses."
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