Man arrested after HK$1 million in gems stolen from hotel guest asleep in lobby
Hong Kong police have arrested a man and recovered uncut gemstones worth nearly HK$1 million (US$127,500) that were allegedly snatched from an overseas businessman as he slept in a hotel lobby. The force said on Monday that the suspected theft happened a day earlier while the businessman, a 29-year-old jeweller from Sri Lanka, was in the city for the “Jewellery & Gem World Hong Kong September”…
A man has been apprehended in Hong Kong after nearly HK$1 million worth of uncut gemstones were stolen from a businessman sleeping in a hotel lobby. According to police, the theft occurred a day prior to the "Jewellery & Gem World Hong Kong September" trade fair, during which the victim, a 29-year-old Sri Lankan jeweller, was waiting to check in at a hotel near Hong Kong International Airport.
The suspect allegedly seized the opportunity while the businessman was asleep to search his backpack, which was resting on his luggage, and remove the gems valued at nearly HK$1 million before fleeing the scene. Airport district officers, aided by surveillance footage, identified the suspect and arrested him six hours later at a hotel in Tsing Yi, with the stolen stones recovered intact.
The police are currently investigating whether the suspect had accomplices. In light of the incident, the force is reminding the public to secure their personal belongings, especially during large exhibitions, and urging exhibitors to remain vigilant and cautious with their valuables.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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