Police Bust Three New Territories Car Theft Rings
HK01 · 5 SOURCESabout 9 hours ago6 MIN
Summary
Yuen Long District police said vehicle theft cases have been rising in Yuen Long and across the New Territories, prompting a four-day operation from October 26 to 29 under the codenames “Thunderbolt” and “Mystnet.” Officers said they dismantled three theft rings, arrested eight Chinese men aged 34 to 49, and linked the suspects to seven cases involving eight private cars and one light goods vehicle. Six stolen vehicles were recovered, and investigators found burglary tools including a master key and a car key programmer inside one of the recovered vehicles. Police said four of the arrested men have been charged and appeared at Tuen Mun Magistrates’ Courts on October 29 and 30, while two remained in custody and two were released on bail pending further inquiries.
Key Points
- Inspector Ng Koon-lun (吳冠麟) of Yuen Long District Crime Squad said investigators reviewed extensive CCTV footage and used the Sharp Eye surveillance network to identify the groups.
- Police said the rings mainly operated in rural New Territories areas, targeting private cars and light goods vehicles parked on remote roadsides or in open-air car parks with weak anti-theft protection.
- Investigators said stolen vehicles were used by the suspects, resold, or sold to vehicle dismantlers known locally as “chop shops,” with fake plates and car covers used to avoid detection.
- Detectives raided multiple locations in the New Territories and Kowloon, arresting eight men on allegations including taking conveyance without authority, theft from vehicles, and document forgery.
- Some reports said the recovered vehicles included BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Toyota models, with estimated values ranging from tens of thousands to more than HK$100,000.
Why It Matters
The case points to a practical risk for drivers who leave vehicles in isolated rural parking spots without strong security or camera coverage, especially in parts of the New Territories where police say the theft trend has been rising. It also shows how stolen cars may quickly be repurposed, resold or broken up, making early reporting, tracking devices and secure parking more important for owners.