Police arrested 7 people in gold bar robbery case

A man was robbed at knifepoint in an airport parking lot the day before yesterday, with gold bars worth approximately 7 million yuan robbed.

Police arrested seven people after investigation, but the stolen items were not recovered. Preliminary investigations suggest it was a planned robbery. Some suspects have fled to mainland China.

The 36-year-old local man was in parking lot number 3 at the airport and was about to get into his car, when three masked men armed with knives attacked him, robbed his backpack, and fled in a seven-seater vehicle.

Police received a report around 12:30 am on Thursday. After investigation, they believe the victim was hired by a mainland businessman to carry the gold bars back to Hong Kong from Indonesia alone.

The robbed backpack is claimed to contain six gold bars, worth approximately HK$7 million. The victim sustained injuries to his thigh and left forearm, but is currently in stable condition.

Following investigation, police arrested four men and three women, aged between 20 and 39, all are local residents, some with triad backgrounds.

The Police said its investigation suggests this was not a random robbery targeting an innocent citizen. They have reason to believe the perpetrators knew the victim's flight, route, and parking location beforehand. This case clearly involved an insider tip-off, suggesting it was committed by someone known to the victim.

Police added cash entering Hong Kong does not require customs declaration. However, officers will continue to investigate whether the entire operation involves other crimes.

Police discovered a seven-seater vehicle believed to be used in the robbery in Tsuen Wan.

Knives and other evidence were found inside the vehicle, but the gold bars were not recovered. The roles of those arrested include the crime planner, the armed robber, the getaway driver and vehicle owner, and the person who booked the hotel for the suspects.

Police believes some suspects have fled to mainland China and have identified them. They will request assistance from mainland law enforcement agencies to apprehend them.