The Criminal Investigation Department is searching for a young man and woman suspected of stealing a luxury yellow evening gown worth more than KD 850 from a boutique in an Al-Egaila mall, a security source told Al-Anba newspaper on October 12, 2026. The pair reportedly browsed the store for around 30 minutes, examining multiple dresses before the woman placed the item in her bag after confirming the absence of a security tag. Her companion was seen approaching the cameras during the act, which investigators believe was intended to obstruct recording. The boutique manager provided the surveillance footage to police after discovering the loss, enabling detectives to register a formal theft case and begin tracing the suspects whose nationalities have not been disclosed.
According to the same source cited by Al-Anba, the theft went undetected until a staff member noticed the gown missing from its display area some time after the couple had left. Store personnel then examined the recordings, which offered a detailed view of the sequence and prompted the immediate complaint at the local station. This evidence has become central to the ongoing manhunt conducted by the Criminal Investigation Department. The incident has highlighted vulnerabilities in retail settings despite broader improvements in crime prevention.
Ministry of Justice figures released in August showed theft cases registered with the public prosecution fell 43.4 percent in the first half of 2026, dropping from 781 to 442 compared with the same period a year earlier. Justice Minister Nasser Al-Sumait attributed the decline to enhanced security efforts, awareness campaigns and reforms in the criminal justice system that have reduced serious forms of theft including robbery by 66.4 percent. The positive trend covers both break-ins and other categories yet individual retail thefts such as the Al-Egaila case continue to require vigilant responses from both businesses and authorities.
Al-Anba reported that the couple appeared to act in coordination, with the man seemingly tasked with monitoring the cameras while the woman secured the gown without triggering alarms. Detectives are using the high-quality footage to circulate descriptions internally and seek public assistance if the images are released. The boutique specialises in evening wear, making the stolen item a significant loss that exceeds typical shoplifting values. No arrests have been announced as the search remains active across relevant areas.
A comparable breach last year involved an expatriate accused of taking wedding gowns and accessories valued at KD 16,000 from a shop in Hawalli, Gulf News reported in January 2025. In that instance the owner filed a complaint after the employee vanished and could not be contacted, leading to a wanted notice over fears the suspect might leave Kuwait with the merchandise. Such cases demonstrate the range of threats to formal attire retailers from opportunistic visitors to trusted insiders. The latest gown theft adds to a pattern that keeps commercial security high on the agenda even amid falling overall crime rates.
