On 22/9, 37-year-old Ha, from Kep commune, Bac Ninh province, was arrested by the Hanoi Police Department's Criminal Investigation Division.

Ha confessed to seeking out women late at night to grope them. Around 12:50 a.m. on 13/9, Ha rode his motorbike from his home in Bo De ward, wandering through the central streets.

Nguyen Duc Ha at the police station. Photo: Police provided

To avoid detection, he removed his license plate, wore a black sun-protective jacket, a face mask, and a baseball cap. Upon reaching Phan Ke Binh street in Ngoc Ha ward, he noticed a 33-year-old woman in a black dress and camisole, stopping her motorbike in front of a mini apartment building.

The woman then rode her motorbike to the first floor of the building. She left her two-strap handbag on the seat of another motorbike parked at the entrance before going inside.

Seizing the opportunity, Ha groped the woman with one hand, grabbed her bag, and fled.

Reaching lane 198 Xa Dan, Van Mieu ward, Ha spotted another woman taking her motorbike into her house. He stopped, snuck up behind her, and groped her.

Reaching the middle of Long Bien bridge, Ha checked the stolen bag and found an iPhone 15 and 3.7 million VND.