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Sleuths make Kowloon West
'safer for young women'
Ag RC KW Ian Seabourne commends OC Case WDSIP Eppie Mui |
Four Mong Kok detectives received commendation letters from Acting Kowloon West Regional Commander Ian Seabourne on August 31 for arresting an armed robber terrorising women in the area.
The four undertook detailed investigations, tracking and later arresting the culprit who was robbing women at knife-point and pawning their valuables. At the presentation in Mong Kok Police Station, Mr Seabourne praised the four, saying: "These officers are a credit to the Force. Due to their hard work, initiative and dedication, they have made Kowloon West a safer place for young women."
Police had received numerous reports since January of women being robbed by a knife-wielding male. In every case the victim was wearing a Rolex watch and other valuable jewellery.
Case officer-in-charge, Woman Detective Senior Inspector Eppie Mui Sin-kwan identified the culprit's modus operandi whilst looking at robbery trends in the District, initiating detailed inquiries at local pawnshops and recovering four stolen watches, a diamond ring and a gold chain, all pawned by the suspect using a stolen identity card.
MK District Investigation Team Nine Detective Inspector Joe Chow Yat-ming, Detective Sergeant Andy Wong Fat-kay and Detective Police Constable Raymond Lam Chi-keung took over the investigation, re-interviewing victims and analysing the culprit's movements and habits.
They set up ambushes at strategically-located pawnshops in MK and Yau Tsim Districts throughout July and August, their hard work culminating in the August 24 arrest of the culprit, an hour after he robbed a 21-year-old woman in Sham Shui Po. Her stolen watch and the stolen ID card were found in his possession, and following a successful identification parade, he was charged with five counts of robbery, two each in MK and YT, and one in SSPo.
MK Assistant District Commander (Crime) Gavin Brown said: "Our success in solving these cases came about as the result of team work and the efforts of many other officers who put in a lot of time on the streets trying to catch this man. I am very grateful and proud of them all."