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    Police arrested a 34-year-old man in Shatin last (April 11) night suspected to be in connection with a series of burglary cases in a university during an anti-burglary operation mounted in the area.

    After extensive investigations into intelligence gathered, officers of the District Crime Squad of Shatin District and a special task force launched an anti-burglary operation codenamed "Newsfinder" in March this year with an aim to combat a series of burglary cases occurred in a university in Shatin since 2004 and had successfully identified a 34-year-old man who was put under close surveillance.

    Investigation revealed that the modus operandi of the culprit was to first gain entry into the buildings of the university before closure of the main entrances, steal the keys in those rooms which were unattended and then commit the offences after office or teaching hours.

    The operation turned overt at 10.30 pm yesterday after the man had burgled into one of the building units in the university and was arrested with some burglary tools seized at scene.

    Some105 keys marked with room number believed to have been stolen from the university by the man were also discovered following a search at the boot of his car.

    Subsequent enquiries revealed that the man was suspected to be connected with 21 burglary cases that happened in the university since last year. Properties stolen included mobile phones, notebook computers, digital cameras and video cameras etc involving about $630 000.

    The man is still being detained. Investigations by District Crime Squad of Shatin District are on-going.

Police Report No. 14

Ends/Tuesday, April 12, 2005

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