An off-duty fireman suspected of stealing two cup noodles from a convenience store was caught by an off-duty police officer on Monday, Public Security Police (PSP) spokesman Cheong Heon Fan said in a regular press conference yesterday.
This is the second theft case involving a fireman in two weeks
According to Cheong, the suspect, a 28-year-old surnamed Chio who joined the Fire Services Bureau (CB) in 2016, denied the theft, insisting that he had paid for them.
Cheong said that the police received a report at about 6:30 a.m. on Monday about a shoplifting case.
According to Cheong, a convenience store employee told police that Chio bought some snacks and drinks in the store, and as he was leaving the shop, he took with him two cup noodles from a shelf worth 44 patacas in total.
Cheong said that the employee shouted “theft” and ran after Chio, who was stopped and caught by an off-duty police officer who was passing by.
Under questioning, Cheong said that Chio, who smelt of alcohol, claimed that he had paid for the cup noodles, but the employee insisted Chio hadn’t.
The case was transferred to the Public Prosecution Office (MP) on Monday for further investigation and Chio faces a charge of aggravated theft.
A statement from the Secretariat for Security yesterday noted that the Fire Services Bureau (CB) has launched disciplinary proceedings concerning the case.
The Fire Services Bureau said in a statement yesterday that the bureau was “shocked” and “sad” that another off-duty firefighter is suspected of violating discipline within in short space of time.
The statement reiterated that the bureau attaches great importance to ethics and law-abiding awareness of all staff members of the Public Security Forces, which requires all staff to be honest and self-disciplined, stressing that all illegal acts will be dealt with seriously according to the law.
In addition, the statement said that the bureau has immediately held an emergency meeting with the heads of various departments, instructing all department chiefs to remind their personnel to learn from these incidents, adding that all staff members should always pay close attention to their personal conduct. The statement said that professional ethics start with the simplest rules and that there would be strict punishment for any violations.
Judiciary Police (PJ) spokesmen Leng Kam Lon (left) and Public Security Police (PSP) spokesman Cheong Heon Fan pose during yesterday’s regular press conference. Photo: Camy Tam
