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| The gang's key targets are the elderly about to transact with banks (File) |
Four Indonesian men aged between 25 and 47 appeared in West Kowloon Court earlier today, charged with stealing more than $475,000 from elderly residents about to deposit, or have just withdrawn, money from banks.
A Police spokesperson confirmed the defendants’ nationalities, after initially issuing a statement saying they were all foreigners.
The spokesperson also said that the four had already been taken to court on Friday, Mar 8, after they were arrested as they were about to board a flight to Indonesia.
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| TAWAG NA! |
The police report said that the arrests were triggered by an elderly woman’s complaint on Feb 29, that $25,000 had been stolen from her backpack, as she was preparing to deposit it at a bank in Kwai Chung.
CCTV footage from the area led to an identification of the four suspects, who were also linked to five more pickpocketing cases between October last year and March this year. The alleged thefts happened in Tuen Mun, Sheung Shui, Tin Shui Wai, Cheung Sha Wan and Tsing Yi.
In at least one of the incidents, the amount involved was $100,000. The alleged thieves are said to have targeted elderly people, with the oldest aged 90 years old.
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| PINDUTIN DITO |
The total amount involved was $475,200.
The suspects allegedly pretended to be tourists exploring the city while pilfering people’s belongings.
As a result of the case, the Police has urged people to be vigilant and to secure their belongings well, especially in crowded places.
Under Section 9 of the Hong Kong Theft Ordinance, the maximum penalty for theft is 10 years in prison.
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| PADALA NA! |
