Police arrest one over suspected Japanese banknote robbery

已複製連結

Some currency exchange shop employees in Central reported being robbed in broad daylight by knife-wielding assailants who stole 1 billion yen in cash, equivalent to nearly 50 million Hong Kong dollars. Police have arrested one man in relation to the case.

The robbery took place outside 181 Queen’s Road Central. The victims included at least two men and one woman. It is understood the stolen yen banknotes were kept in multiple suitcases.

The victims said they are employees of a currency exchange shop. At around 9 a.m., four men armed with knives robbed them of 1 billion yen in cash. The robbers then fled in a silver seven-seater vehicle toward Man Wa Lane.

Police later found a suspicious vehicle on nearby Jervois Street and investigators conducted a detailed search.

According to sources, police set up cordons and intercepted vehicles in the vicinity, arresting at least one man and investigating whether he is connected to the robbery.

It is understood that during a large-scale search, police discovered a suitcase near the Hong Kong–Macau Ferry Terminal, suspected to be related to the case.

The highest-denomination Japanese banknote is understood to be 10,000 yen, with each note weighing about 1 gram. Therefore, 1 billion yen in cash would weigh at least 100 kilogrammes.