A pickpocket from the mainland has been arrested for committing three thefts on buses involving valuables worth a total of 11,800 patacas, Judiciary Police (PJ) spokesman Chan Wun Man said at a special press conference yesterday.
The male 33-year-old suspect surnamed Zheng told the police that he’s jobless.
According to Chan, the Judiciary Police received reports from three victims – two women and a man – saying that they had their belongings stolen during bus rides in the northern district and the city centre, each reporting the theft of 8,030 patacas, 3,200 patacas and 600 patacas in cash, respectively, as well as an ATM card and a wallet. Two of the cases occurred in June, while the other one occurred on Monday.
Zheng was identified as the suspect with the help of CCTV footage. He was arrested on Tuesday when he was about to leave Macau via the Barrier Gate checkpoint.
No cash or other loot was found on him. Under questioning, he told the police that he had spent all the stolen money.
Zheng was transferred to the Public Prosecutions Office (MP) yesterday, facing aggravated theft charges, Chan noted.
The police urged residents and tourists to take care of their belongings when using public transport.
The mainland theft suspect is being transferred to a police vehicle outside the Judiciary Police (PJ) headquarters yesterday. – Photo: William Chan
