Hong Kong police have arrested 15 individuals in connection with a high-profile armed robbery in Sheung Wan that occurred last Thursday (Dec. 18). The suspects are believed to have conspired to carry out the robbery, which involved the theft of ¥1 billion in Japanese yen (approximately HK$50 million) from a currency exchange operation.
The incident took place around 9:00 AM on Queen's Road Central, outside 181 Queen's Road Central, where two men (aged 39 and 51) and a driver had arrived to exchange the large sum of yen for Hong Kong dollars at an HSBC branch. The men were carrying four suitcases filled with cash.
As they exited the vehicle, they were approached by three masked assailants—two armed with machetes—who threatened them and stole two grey and two blue suitcases containing the money. The robbers then fled in a private car toward Bonham Strand. The victims immediately reported the crime.
Police quickly responded and intercepted a suspect near Exit D of the Sheung Wan MTR station. The man was found in possession of a suitcase containing a large amount of Japanese yen. The 43-year-old suspect, surnamed Cong, is a Mainland Chinese national holding a two-way permit. He was arrested on suspicion of robbery and taken into custody. The case is now being handled by Team 1B of the Hong Kong Island Regional Crime Unit.
Authorities have since conducted further investigations, resulting in the arrest of 14 additional suspects for conspiracy to commit robbery.
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