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Police arrested four male mainlanders aged between 28 and 40 suspected to be in connection with a series of burglary and theft cases in hotels on Hong Kong Island during an operation mounted early this (October 25) morning.
Since July this year, Police have received a total of 19 reports of burglary and theft cases in hotels on Hong Kong Island. After extensive investigations into intelligence gathered, officers of the Regional Crime Unit of Hong Kong Island had identified a number of mainlanders.
Investigation revealed that the modus operandi of the culprits was to first check in as ordinary hotel guests. They then emerged from their room during small hours of the days to act in a group of three to four and used improvised device to gain entry into other hotel rooms to steal valuables from other hotel guests who were sleeping in their rooms.
The operation turned overt at 1.20 am this morning when the officers laid an ambush in a hotel in Central resulting in the arrest of four mainlanders who were attempting to gain entry to one of the hotel rooms by using the same modus operandi.
Following a search in the suspectsˇ¦ room in the hotel, some burlgary tools including thick metal wires, strings and adhesive tapes were seized. In addition, two watches and cash of HK$16,000, RMB $1,600 and a small amount of foreign currencies believed to have been stolen were also recovered.
Subsequent enquiries revealed that the arrestees were suspected to be connected with a number of burglary and theft cases that occurred in various hotels on Hong Kong Island since end of July this year.
The four men are still being detained for further enquiries. Investigations by Regional Crime Unit of Hong Kong Island are on-going.
Police Report No. 9
Ends/Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Issued at HKT 17:55
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