The suspects reportedly pickpocketed HK$270,00 (US$34,770) from the victims after trailing them from ATM and banks Photo: SCMP
Hong Kong police have arrested three people suspected working together to pickpocket HK$270,000 in cash from victims after they withdrew cash from ATMs or banks.
The police spokesperson said on Saturday two men and one woman had been detained since Friday after they were caught and arrested in a police operation.
According to the Hong Kong police, officers on Friday noon conducted a patrol at a Tuen Mun shopping centre and noticed the trio tailing a resident who took cash from an ATM.
The people that police arrested were aged between 39 and 47 entering the city through valid travel permits and were believed to be connected to seven similar cases reported from different districts across the city.
“We believe the force had cracked down on a group of thieves who premeditated the crime, as they tended to loiter around banks or ATMs and followed those who just withdrew a large amount of cash,” police said.
It was added that the suspects took advantage of busy places and snatched the victim’s valuables from their rucksacks or handbags.
The force had received another report last month from a victim who lost HK$100,000 cash right after withdrawal. It was believed the case was connected with the suspects, it was added.
Police warned residents to be more vigilant and ask family or friends to come along to the bank as they took out a big stash of cash.
The maximum penalty for theft is up to 10 years in jail.
3名嫌犯從ATM機和銀行用戶扒竊27萬港元後在香港被捕
香港警方逮捕了三名涉嫌夥同受害者從自動櫃員機或銀行提取現金後盜竊27萬港元現金的人。
警方發言人週六表示，自周五以來，兩名男子和一名女子在警方的一次行動中被捕並被拘留。
胡說，據香港警方稱，週五中午，警員在屯門一家購物中心巡邏，發現三人尾隨一名從自動提款機取錢的居民。
警方逮捕的人年齡在39歲至47歲之間，透過有效旅行許可證進入該市，據信與該市不同地區報告的七起類似案件有關。
警方表示：“我們認為，警方打擊了一群有預謀的犯罪團夥，因為他們往往在銀行或自動取款機周圍徘徊，並跟踪那些剛剛提取大量現金的人。”
據稱，犯罪嫌疑人利用人多的地方，從受害者的背包或手提包中搶走貴重物品。
警方上月又接獲一名受害者報案，表示提款後即損失10萬元港幣現金。 吳相信案件與嫌疑犯有關。
警方警告居民要提高警惕，在提取大量現金時請家人或朋友一起去銀行。
盜竊罪最高可判處 10 年監禁。
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