It was an aviation radio, not a GPS. And it turns out that it didn't belong to the Arab at all, but an American pilot on the floor below him--and that the hotel rent-a-cop had planted it in the Arab's room so that he could "find" it and be the big hero.
Thanks...after posting my question and continuing on through the replies, I saw your answer to the same question by Howlin. Guess I shoulda read all the replies first and saved some typing :- )