According to Yahoo News, a partner of the workshop, suspected of masterminding the robbery, directed 16 men to pose as delivery drivers to steal the gold.
On 18/9, police recovered all the stolen gold and arrested seven individuals. However, the mastermind remains at large. Authorities are actively pursuing the remaining individuals involved.
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Hong Kong police cordon off the robbery scene. Photo: HK01 |
Hong Kong police cordon off the robbery scene. Photo: HK01
The robbery took place at a goldsmith workshop located in the Fu Hang Industrial Building on Hok Yuen East Street in the Hung Hom district. Yahoo News reports the workshop was operated by three partners. One of them had recently received a shipment of gold worth approximately 7.6 million USD from a gold shop and brought it to the workshop for melting.
Another partner, suspected of learning about the substantial amount of gold stored in the workshop, became greedy and decided to take a risk. This individual organized 16 other men to raid the workshop at 5 a.m. on 17/9, stealing all the gold bars, gold pieces, and gold granules, weighing approximately 65 kg. Sources indicate the robbers used the workshop's key and access code to enter. None of them wore masks or carried weapons.
At the time of the incident, six employees were eating and resting at the workshop. They saw a familiar face leading a group into the workshop and, assuming they were there for a delivery, didn't resist. They were asked to leave the workshop, the door was locked, and the surveillance cameras were removed.
Later, an employee contacted another partner, informing them that all the gold had been taken. This partner went to the workshop to assess the situation and reported the incident at 11:22 a.m., by which time the suspects had fled in three separate vehicles. Upon inspection, it was determined the robbers had taken gold worth approximately 7.6 million USD and 2,500 USD in cash from the workshop.
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Police investigate the scene. Photo: HK01 |
Police investigate the scene. Photo: HK01
The West Kowloon Regional Crime Unit has taken over the case and is searching for the fugitive suspects.
Hong Kong has experienced several major gold heists in the past. On 30/1/2024, a man in Lok Ma Chau was transporting eight gold bars worth approximately 510,000 USD when a group of knife-wielding robbers intercepted his vehicle. The vehicle and the gold were stolen, and their whereabouts remain unknown.
On 11/12/2016, while transporting 258 gold bars worth over 9 million USD to a goldsmith workshop in Fanling, a driver was attacked by three robbers armed with knives and pepper spray. They stole 81 gold bars, with a total value of approximately 3 million USD. Police are still searching for the five robbers and two vehicles involved.
Tue Anh
