The Public Security Police (PSP) have busted an illegal inn in Zape while investigating several thefts in Cotai involving two pickpockets in their sixties, PSP spokesman Cheong Heon Fan said at a regular press conference yesterday.
According to Cheong, the Public Security Police have meanwhile notified the Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO) of the illegal inn, which has already been sealed.
The Public Security Police received separate theft reports from three residents last Friday and Saturday, reporting a total loss of valuables worth about 22,000 patacas, including mobile phones, cash, and handbags.
After scrutinising the police forces’ citywide CCTV camera system, PSP officers identified the suspects as two men from the mainland, both surnamed Wang, and arrested them in Cotai on Sunday, Cheong said, adding that the jobless duo, who confessed to committing the crimes due to gambling losses, have been transferred to the Public Prosecutions Office (MP).
In the meantime, Cheong said, PSP officers took the two suspects to the flat in Zape where the duo had stayed, for further investigation. Upon entering the flat, the officers discovered that the unit is a three-room duplex complete with 17 beds. They suspected that the unit offered illegal accommodation, so they informed MGTO for follow-up.
According to Cheong, PSP officers intercepted four males and a female overstayer in the flat. Each admitted to renting a bed for between 100 patacas and 380 patacas from a man they had met at a local casino.
At the time of the press conference, the Public Security Police were still looking for the male operator of the illegal inn, Cheong noted.
This undated handout photo provided by the Public Security Police (PSP) yesterday shows the two elderly pickpocketing suspects from the mainland being escorted by PSP officers to a police station in Taipa.
