Two people have been arrested in connection with three cases of alleged baggage theft at Hong Kong International Airport. The stolen goods, including luxury clothing and jewellery pieces, were valued at more than HK$1.1 million.
Hong Kong police arrested one man and one woman, both aged 23, on Saturday on suspicion of stealing suitcases from the baggage claim hall of the city’s airport earlier this month. Police investigation found that the pair had allegedly committed a similar theft back in February.
Acting chief inspector Leung Hiu-man said on Monday that the Force had launched an investigation after receiving reports from two victims on June 4. The victims reported that they had failed to retrieve their baggage at the airport and inside their suitcases were “a large amount of luxury brand clothing and jewellery,” Leung said in Cantonese.
After reviewing security camera footage, police identified the two suspects and found that they had loitered around the baggage claim hall upon their arrival on June 4. The pair, whom police said were foreigners, then randomly stole the suitcases of other visitors to make profit off of reselling the belongings.
Immigration records showed that the two suspects had entered Hong Kong frequently between February and June. Police said they were also suspected of being involved in a similar offence on February 27.
Following their arrests, officers searched the suspects’ homes and uncovered some of the stolen goods. Parcels and resale receipts were also found at their residences. Police would contact the logistics companies to trace the whereabouts of the items, Leung said.
“We believe that someone, driven by greed, targeted the luggage of others… police will prosecute the two suspects,” Leung said.
Under Hong Kong’s laws, theft is punishable by up to 10 years of imprisonment.
Wayne Sum, deputy district commander of the airport, said on Monday that theft was a serious crime and people who lost their suitcases should contact airport district police officers as soon as possible.
Sum also reminded passengers to avoid bringing valuables or storing them in checked baggage, adding that they should claim their bags as soon as possible after landing. The officer added the Force would provide security guidelines to airport security and airline staff and step up patrol to lower the risk of theft.
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