On 27/2, the Da Nang Police Investigation Agency provisionally detained Nguyen Cong Toan, 29, residing in Thang An commune, for investigation into property robbery.

Nguyen Cong Toan at the police station. Photo: Thanh Huynh

According to the investigation, at approximately 9:15 on 26/2, which was God of Wealth Day, Toan borrowed his brother's SH 125i scooter and drove from Thang An commune to Xuan Phu commune, intending to find a vulnerable person to rob. When he reached an internal road within Quang Nam Mineral Company, near Binh Hoa hamlet in Thang An commune, Toan spotted a 57-year-old woman riding alone on a deserted stretch of road. He immediately followed her, then forcefully rode close, causing the victim to fall onto the roadside.

Toan restrained the woman and demanded, "Give me the gold". Frightened, she handed over two gold rings and one mobile phone. Not stopping there, the suspect opened the scooter's storage compartment, taking her handbag, which contained one necklace, one gold ring, VND 1,75 million, and various personal documents.

Nguyen Cong Toan at the site where he disposed of the victim's handbag. Photo: Thanh Huynh

After leaving the scene, Toan drove to a cemetery in Thang An commune. There, he rummaged through the handbag, took the valuables, and then burned the bag and documents to destroy evidence. He threw the mobile phone into a roadside hay bush. The gold and money were taken home and hidden under his bedroom mattress.

Upon receiving the report, Thang An Commune Police, in coordination with the Criminal Police Department of Da Nang City Police, located Toan after about two hours of investigation. Authorities recovered one necklace, three gold rings, and VND 1,75 million from the suspect's bedroom.

According to the investigation agency, Toan has two prior convictions for robbery, one for theft, and one for escaping detention or fleeing while being escorted or on trial.

Ngoc Truong