Hong Kong police arrest IT worker over escalator liquid attacks
Bastillepost · 5 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Police said a 26-year-old man was arrested on October 15 after an investigation into three alleged incidents in Tsim Sha Tsui, where women were splashed from behind with an unidentified white transparent liquid on MTR station and shopping mall escalators. The suspect, who holds a Hong Kong identity card and works as an information technology technician, is being temporarily charged with three counts of indecent assault and one count of wounding, and is scheduled to appear at West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts on October 17.
Key Points
- Police received a report on October 12 from a woman who said she was splashed on the calf on October 2 while riding an escalator at Tsim Sha Tsui MTR Station.
- The woman confronted the man and tried to stop him leaving; during the struggle, her right-hand finger was seriously injured and suffered a fracture before the suspect fled.
- After intelligence analysis and online patrols, officers identified two more women who described similar incidents from January at an MTR station and a shopping mall escalator in Tsim Sha Tsui.
- Police said closed-circuit footage, including cameras under the Sharp Eye Scheme, helped them identify the suspect, who was arrested in Kwun Tong on October 15.
- Officers searched the suspect’s home and seized clothing believed to have been worn during the offences; police said the exact nature of the liquid remains under investigation.
Why It Matters
The case has drawn attention because police said one victim had posted about her experience online in January but did not make a formal report, delaying the start of a criminal investigation. Officers are urging victims of sexual offences not to stay silent and say prompt reporting can help prevent further attacks and protect others.