15 arrested over 1 billion yen robbery
發佈日期: 2025-12-22 19:55
TVB News
The police have arrested 15 people in connection with a robbery near a currency exchange shop in Sheung Wan last week. It involved one billion Japanese yen, which is around 50 million Hong Kong dollars.
The force described the robbery as a "meticulously-planned and violent operation."
Evidence from the crime scene -- a 20-centimetre-long knife, masks, a car key, as well as some clothes and gloves.
The brazen daylight robbery took place at the currency exchange shop on Wing Lok Street last Thursday at around 9 in the morning.
Two employees of a cryptocurrency and luxury goods firm, were on the way to exchange one billion yen.
Suddenly, three robbers jumped out of a private car.
One of them brandished a long knife to threaten the two employees.
The trio then snatched the one billion yen cash in four suitcases.
SIN KWOK-MING, Superintendent of Police, Regional Crime Headquarters (Operations), Hong Kong Island said, "They loaded all four suitcases in a private car and drove away. And from the other evidence from witnesses, we believe there are other cars waiting for them and take away the suitcase. Whether the syndicate has collusion with the other party involved, active investigation is still underway. Before they committed the robbery, they have conducted a recce and some meetings somewhere."
Chief Inspector of Police Man Chi-yeung said the execution was "meticulously-planned and violent."
He noted that the syndicate set up an ambush at the site -- once the victims showed up, the suspects manoeuvred their car and took the suitcases in around 30 seconds.
Police officers found the suspects' vehicle on Jervois Street, as well as another car in the New Territories.
15 people have been arrested, including 11 men and 4 women, aged between 20 and 69.
All suspects are local residents, with several having ties to triad groups.
The police believe the mastermind has been apprehended.
Seven of them have been charged with conspiracy to commit robbery.
The 43-year-old mainland man caught earlier has been granted bail.
The police said they are still looking into the relationship between the suspects, victims and currency exchange shop, and they have not ruled out more arrests.
