The Judiciary Police (PJ) arrested a man early yesterday morning for robbing a pregnant woman on the previous night in Zape, threatening her with a pair scissors, PJ spokesman Chan Wun Man announced during a special press conference yesterday.
According to Chan, the suspect is a 28-year-old Vietnamese surnamed Ho, who works for a cleaning company, while the victim is a 27-year-old local housewife, who is nine-months pregnant.
Chan said that on Sunday at 11p.m. the victim was shopping alone in a commercial centre in Rua do Terminal Maritimo. Suddenly the victim felt someone pulling her handbag. As she turned around, she saw a man wearing a face mask threatening her with a pair of scissors. The man then robbed her of the handbag.
According to Chan, the victim lost valuables and cash equivalent to a total of 2,800 patacas.
Chan said that the victim reported the case to the police, after which she was transferred to a hospital for a check-up. Chan noted that
the victim suffered from shock but didn’t sustain any injury.
Based on the victim’s report, PJ officers checked footage of the area’s public surveillance system and identified Ho as the suspect after a few hours. The police then tracked Ho to a flat where he’s living in the same area.
At 9 a.m. yesterday, PJ officers went to Ho’s flat and arrested him. Under questioning, Ho admitted to the crime. The suspect said that he committed the robbery as he had lost money on the gambling tables.
The suspect was transferred to the Public Prosecution Office (MP) for further investigation yesterday.
According to Chan, the suspect faces robbery and prohibited weapon charges. Robbery is punishable by imprisonment ranging between three and 15 years.
Judiciary Police (PJ) officers escort the robbery suspect to a police vehicle outside the PJ headquarters in Zape yesterday. Photo: Iong Tat Choi
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