The Judiciary Police (PJ) arrested a male gambler from the mainland on Friday for stealing casino chips worth HK$100,000 (101,600 patacas) from gaming tables at a casino in Cotai, PJ spokesman Cheong Un Hong said during a regular press conference yesterday.
Cheong identified the suspect as a 30-year-old male surnamed Wu who claimed to be jobless.
According to Cheong, police officers patrolling in a casino in Cotai on Friday received a report about Wu stealing chips from gaming tables on three occasions.
Cheong noted that Wu first placed a bet of HK$60,000 at a baccarat table in the casino. After losing, he attempted to take back the HK$60,000 in chips while the dealer was not paying attention, but was caught on the spot. After being discovered, Wu threw the chips worth HK$20,000 on to the table and immediately fled to another table to continue gambling.
Cheong added that a few minutes later, Wu placed another bet of HK$60,000 at the second table. Similarly, he again tried to grab back the chips after losing while the dealer was distracted, but was once again he was caught and stopped. However, Wu ignored the warning and moved to a third table to continue gambling. Two minutes later, he placed a bet of HK$60,000 at the third table and was intercepted by security after losing that round.
The police discovered that Wu had stolen HK$40,000 during the first game and HK$60,000 during the second, totalling HK$100,000.
Under questioning, Wu admitted to stealing chips from the tables after losing a large amount of money at the casino.
Wu was transferred to the Public Prosecutions Office (MP) on Saturday, facing a theft charge.
Judiciary Police (PJ) spokesman Cheong Un Hong looks on during yesterday’s regular press conference. – Photo: Ada Lei
