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The Star
4 days ago
- The Star
Hong Kong bank robbery suspect's ‘illogical' target sparks online debate
A man suspected of robbing a Hong Kong bank with a knife and injuring a staff member could be charged as soon as Wednesday night, the Post has learned, with the establishment's proximity to his neighbourhood sparking a heated online discussion. The jobless man, 49, was handed over to Hong Kong police on Tuesday after he was detained in Shenzhen for allegedly robbing a branch of Hang Seng Bank in Sha Tin the day before. His girlfriend, 34, was also arrested on suspicion of aiding his escape after he made off with about HK$382,000 (US$48,700) in cash. A source said on Wednesday that the force aimed to lay a charge of robbery against the man, adding that the woman was still being questioned. 'They were only arrested last night, so they are still giving statements. Police need more time to investigate. But the force is leaning towards laying a holding charge against the man,' the insider said. The man allegedly entered the bank at the Fortune City One shopping centre on Ngan Shing Street alone on Monday afternoon. At around 5pm, he allegedly took a butcher knife measuring 30cm (11.8 inches) out of a paper bag and held the weapon to a female employee's neck. The Cantonese-speaking man then allegedly forced her to take money from a counter, about HK$382,000 in various currencies, before putting the knife and money into the paper bag and fleeing. Police said the man fled to his flat in City One, a private estate in Sha Tin, after the robbery. A source earlier said that members of an elite police tactical unit commonly known as the Flying Tigers were searching for the man at block 50 of City One. The suspect then changed clothes and drove his own vehicle to the Heung Yuen Wai border checkpoint. He entered Shenzhen with a woman whom police said was his girlfriend. The force later found the vehicle in a car park at the checkpoint. The bank robbery has ignited widespread public attention and online discussion, with many internet users questioning the suspect's seemingly 'illogical' action. 'There are CCTV cameras everywhere. He even targeted a bank in his own neighbourhood and went home to change clothes before he drove his own car to escape. It's just illogical,' an online user said. Another commented: 'Out of all the places, he chose [mainland] China to hide. Genius.' 'In this day and age of telephone scams that steal billions of dollars, I can't believe someone would risk their life to bother with traditional bank robbing for such a relatively small sum,' another user said. Some users also praised the prompt action of law enforcement. 'I heard he escaped across the border, and I must admit I was a bit surprised. But in hindsight, this is looking very impressive that Hong Kong police have shown that they can catch the suspect from across the border too,' one said. 'Most other countries couldn't even dream of catching suspects so fast and even from across borders.' - SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
South China Morning Post
03-06-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Suspect in Hong Kong knifepoint bank robbery ‘has fled to mainland China'
A robber who triggered a manhunt after he held a woman at knifepoint and stole HK$370,000 (US$47,180) from a Hang Seng Bank branch is a Hongkonger and has fled to mainland China, the Post has learned. A source said on Tuesday that police's elite tactical unit, the Flying Tigers, was searching for the local man, who was wearing a mask and cap when he robbed the bank at the Fortune City One shopping centre on Ngan Shing Street in Sha Tin the previous day. The force identified the man shortly after the robbery and said he had left Hong Kong, according to the insider. He also said police were working with relevant authorities to hunt down the man, who had fled over the border. Authorities have stepped up security measures at a shopping centre after the armed robbery at its Hang Seng Bank branch. Photo: Handout Authorities stepped up security at the shopping centre, with a jewellery shop operator saying that some valuable pieces would not be displayed temporarily. Yeung Ho-ming, 43, a salesman at Fung Shing Jewellery, said he did not witness the robbery but saw police officers patrolling the area.
South China Morning Post
02-06-2025
- General
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong police hunting robber in HK$370,000 bank hold-up zero in on estate
Hong Kong police officers in tactical gear have been deployed at a major housing estate in a manhunt for a robber who held up a Hang Seng Bank branch with a knife and injured an employee before fleeing with HK$370,000 (US$47,180). Images seen by the Post show officers in tactical gear at block 50 of City One, a private estate in Sha Tin, on Monday. Several unmarked police vans are parked nearby. Officers from the elite tactical unit, the Flying Tigers, were reportedly deployed at the location. Authorities have not disclosed whether the suspect has been arrested. A source said police earlier suspected that the robber was hiding in a City One flat – about 400 metres (1,300 feet) from the scene of the hold-up – and officers had been sent there as part of the manhunt. But the insider said the suspect was not found in the flat during the search. The robber entered the bank alone and grabbed the female worker. Photo: Handout The robber, who was wearing a surgical mask and cap, entered the bank branch alone at Fortune City One shopping centre on Ngan Shing Street in Sha Tin at about 4.43pm, initially sitting near counter No 4, a police source said. At around 5pm, he took a butcher knife measuring 17.8cm (7 inches) out of a paper bag, grabbed the female worker from behind and held the weapon to her neck.
