A 26-year-old local unemployed male suspect, surnamed Choi, was arrested after stealing HK$400,000 from his friend that was in the safe in their shared hotel guestroom, Judiciary Police (PJ) spokesman Leng Kam Lun told reporters at a regular press conference yesterday.
Leng said that the mainland victim met the suspect online, and he agreed to travel to Macau to gamble. Leng said that after the victim arrived in Macau on April 25, he agreed to stay in a hotel guestroom booked by the suspect and put HK$400,000 in cash in the room’s safe, in the presence of the Choi.
According to Leng, when the victim returned to the room on the night of April 30, he discovered that the cash as well as other personal belongings had been stolen.
After failing to contact the suspect, Leng said, the victim reported the incident to the Public Security Police (PSP), who later transferred the case to the Judiciary Police.
According to Leng, Choi eventually contacted the victim on Sunday and claimed that he was in a park in the northern district. Leng added that the police located and arrested the suspect in the park.
Leng underlined that when the victim was away the suspect asked a hotel receptionist to open the safe for him by claiming that he forgot the password. Leng said that after the suspect stole the cash, he gambled away the whole amount, while the victim’s personal belongings, such as a backpack, some clothes and his mainland ID card, were found at Choi’s home.
Choi was transferred to the Public Prosecutions Office (MP) on Monday, facing an aggravated theft charge, according to Leng.
Judiciary Police (PJ) spokesman Leng Kam Lun looks on during yesterday’s press briefing. Photo: Prisca Tang
