Two Arrested Over To Kwa Wan Burglary Spree
HK01 · 3 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago6 MIN
Summary
Police in Kowloon City arrested two unemployed men on October 15 after investigating four burglaries at a private residential building at 18 Farm Road in To Kwa Wan on October 14, where cash, a luxury watch and credit cards were stolen. Investigators said one suspect, a 54-year-old mainland man believed to be an illegal immigrant, allegedly entered flats through kitchen windows or balcony doors while residents were asleep, then passed stolen credit cards to a 34-year-old local accomplice for fraudulent online transactions. Police later linked the pair to five more residential burglary cases in Waterloo Road, Kowloon City, and Yin Ping Road, Cheung Sha Wan, between July and October. The combined losses from the nine cases were about HK$1.7 million, including around HK$30,000 in unauthorised online spending on one victim's card.
Key Points
- Kowloon City District Crime Squad took over the Farm Road investigation and used CCTV footage, including cameras installed under the Sharp Eye Scheme, plus intelligence analysis to identify the suspects.
- Senior Inspector Tsang Ka-chun (曾嘉俊) said the four Farm Road burglaries caused losses of about HK$100,000, while one stolen credit card was used in unauthorised online transactions worth about HK$30,000.
- Police believe the 54-year-old mainland suspect entered homes late at night via kitchen windows or balcony doors when occupants were asleep, then searched the flats for valuables.
- The second suspect, a 34-year-old local man, was arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods and obtaining property by deception after allegedly using stolen cards for fraudulent transactions.
- Officers arrested the men separately in Sham Shui Po and Tsim Sha Tsui on October 15, recovering a luxury watch, clothing and shoes, a card machine, two credit cards or terminal cards, five receipts, gloves and ropes.
Why It Matters
The case points to a burglary pattern targeting vulnerable entry points in older-style private homes, especially kitchen windows and balcony doors left unsecured at night. It also shows how stolen bank cards can be turned quickly into cross-border or overseas online transactions, increasing the financial damage beyond the initial break-in.