Three Arrested Over Tai Wai Claw Shop Heist
HK01 · 7 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
Police said on Friday that two more men had been arrested over the break-in at a self-service claw machine shop in Tai Wai, taking the total number of suspects held to three. The case stems from an early-morning theft reported on September 17, when nearly 100 plush toys worth about HK$70,000 were taken after two machines were pried open with an iron tool. Investigators said the suspects allegedly used getaway vehicles and transferred the loot between multiple cars, while officers later recovered part of the stolen property from other claw machine shops in the district. The shop owner had earlier offered a HK$100,000 reward after saying the stolen items were mainly Jellycat plush toys and that his wife interrupted the theft through the shop's remote audio system.
Key Points
- Police said the theft happened at about 3am on September 17 at a self-service claw machine shop in Chik Sau Lane or nearby Village South Road in Tai Wai, where two intruders entered the premises.
- Investigators said the pair used an iron pry tool to damage two claw machines and stole nearly 100 plush toys valued at about HK$70,000, with reports identifying Jellycat toys as the main loss.
- After reviewing extensive CCTV footage, including cameras under the Sharp Eye Scheme, police first arrested a 28-year-old local man in Sha Tin on September 18 on suspicion of theft.
- Police later arrested two more local men in Sha Tin, bringing the total to three suspects aged 28 to 33, for alleged theft and handling stolen goods.
- According to police, the suspects included an alleged mastermind and getaway drivers, and officers traced some stolen toys to other claw machine shops in the district and recovered part of the property.
Why It Matters
The case has drawn unusual public attention because the owner said thefts at claw machine shops had become routine and that offenders were using increasingly aggressive methods. Police also used the case to warn operators of unattended self-service shops to upgrade surveillance and anti-theft systems, while reminding the public that theft and handling stolen goods carry heavy penalties.