Hong Kong police arrest 6 on suspicion of robbing store of 25 watches worth more than HK$6 million
Hong Kong police have arrested six people on suspicion of involvement in the robbery of 25 watches worth more than HK$6 million (US$767,050) from a store in a busy shopping district last month.
Chief Inspector Lo Ka-chun of the Hong Kong Island regional crime unit said on Friday the arrested were three female and three male Indonesian nationals, aged between 26 and 35.
Lo said the arrestees included four overstayers and one torture claimant, while noting it was the first time that Indonesian nationals had been arrested for such a robbery.
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"Those planning and committing crimes always mistakenly think that having a different nationality, being a torture claims applicant or overstaying can allow them to escape the capture of police," he said.
"I want to point out that robbery is a serious crime, and no matter the nationality or immigration status of robbers, the police will use all methods to bring the thieves to face the law."
One employee was inside the Legend Success Timepiece store on Causeway Bay's Foo Ming Street when the robbers struck on February 28. A video posted online shows three black-clad individuals, all wearing gloves, swinging into action when a woman customer enters the shop.
One knife-wielding robber grabs the woman from behind and throws her out of the shop, the footage shows.
The woman falls on the pavement before the other two robbers, who are carrying a sledgehammer and bag, rush inside.
One robber uses a sledgehammer to smash glass counters while the other grabs watches and stuffs them into his bag before they escape. Police said the gang fled in a green getaway car driven by a fourth suspect.
The force noted that they were led to the arrestees after they suspected that the woman who opened the door for the robbers was working with them, and she only pretended to be a customer to facilitate the crime.
Lo said the other arrestees included the male robber who was armed with a knife, the woman, another woman responsible for grabbing watches, and others who played supporting roles. No one was injured.
Officers detained the suspects between Wednesday and Thursday in San Po Kong, Yuen Long and Tuen Mun after reviewing CCTV footage from across Hong Kong.
Police said that three of the suspects would be charged with robbery, while the three others were being held for investigation. Officers were still trying to locate the stolen watches.
Lo said the force would continue to pursue the remaining criminals as well as the stolen merchandise.
He appealed for the those with information to contact the force at 2860 7834 or 9886 0043.
This article originally appeared on the South China Morning Post (SCMP).
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