Hong Kong Police arrested a 29-year-old man Saturday evening after he allegedly fled a Chow Sang Sang jewelry store in Yuen Long with a gold chain valued at approximately HK$22,000. The swift apprehension, executed by a special duties team following a brief pursuit, occurred near the Yuen Long MTR station; the suspect is also being investigated in connection with a separate jewelry theft that took place late last month.
The incident began around 6 p.m. at the jewelry branch located on Castle Peak Road – Yuen Long. According to staff reports, a male customer asked to try on a gold bracelet. As soon as the item was placed on his wrist, the individual reportedly bolted from the premises. Police officers quickly launched an intercept operation following the alarm.
Quick Action Leads to Arrest
The responding special duties team located the suspect, described as having long hair, approximately 400 meters from the store. He was detained on Long Yat Road, just outside the MTR Yuen Long Station. Witnesses captured photographs showing the individual being subdued on the pavement by a plainclothes officer during the arrest.
The suspect, identified by the surname Pang, is currently facing suspicion of two counts of theft. During the subsequent investigation, police reviewed Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) footage that strongly linked Mr. Pang to an earlier, similar crime in the area.
That separate incident, reported on October 24, involved the alleged theft of a gold bangle valued at around HK$18,000 from a different jewelry shop, also located on Castle Peak Road – Yuen Long. The current allegations suggest a pattern of attempted “try-and-flee” thefts targeting high-value goods in the district.
Investigating the Pattern of Theft
The total value of the alleged stolen goods in both incidents amounts to approximately HK$40,000. Police confirmed that the suspect is being held for continued investigation as authorities focus on verifying timelines and evidence related to both incidents.
The case has been assigned to the Yuen Long District Crime Squad Team 10 for follow-up inquiries. These efforts include detailed evidence collection and verification of the suspect’s movements before and after the reported thefts.
Jewelry retailers, particularly those located in busy commercial areas like Yuen Long, frequently face challenges relating to in-store theft, prompting enhanced security measures. These measures often include restricted access to high-value items, reinforced display cases, and immediate staff training on recognizing and responding to suspicious customer behavior. This successful and rapid apprehension by the police underscores the importance of quick reporting and coordinated law enforcement response in curbing opportunistic retail crime. Further details regarding formal charges are expected as the investigation progresses.