Police in Shatin are actively searching for a suspect following a sophisticated burglary at a public housing complex in Fo Tan late Monday night. A resident of the Chun Yat House at Chun Yeung Estate returned home around 10 p.m. on May 21 to discover her apartment door forcibly pried open and the interior ransacked. Officers confirmed Tuesday that approximately HK$160,000 (about US$20,400) in cash and luxury items were stolen, prompting a major investigation by the regional crime unit.
The victim, identified only by her surname Lee and aged 34, immediately alerted authorities upon finding her home in disarray, indicating a forced entry had occurred. Initial assessments conducted by law enforcement reveal that thieves made off with a significant sum of money and valuable jewelry. The losses include about HK$60,000 in cash and an estimated HK$100,000 worth of jewelry.
A detailed inventory provided to investigators highlighted the specific luxury items targeted. Among the stolen goods were a gold bracelet, a gold necklace, three wristwatches, and four diamond rings. The focused nature of the theft suggests the perpetrators may have targeted high-value, easily transportable assets.
The case has officially been classified as burglary and assigned to the Shatin District Crime Squad Team 1 for intensive follow-up. Detectives are focusing efforts on locating the individual or individuals responsible, though no arrests have been made as of Tuesday afternoon. Authorities are reportedly canvassing the area for potential witnesses, analyzing closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage from the estate and adjacent streets, and exploring possible motives for the targeted break-in.
Protecting Valuables in Public Housing
This high-profile incident underscores persistent security vulnerabilities, even within residential estates managed by the public sector. While law enforcement continues its pursuit, security experts frequently advise residents on crucial preventative measures:
- Reinforce Doors and Locks: Utilize high-security, multi-point locking systems and ensure door frames are robust enough to withstand force.
- Avoid Storing Large Amounts of Cash: Banks and safe deposit boxes offer much safer alternatives for storing significant sums of money or valuable jewelry.
- Utilize Home Security Systems: Even basic home alarms or concealed cameras can act as powerful deterrents and assist police in post-incident investigations.
The Shatin District Crime Squad urged the public to contact police with any relevant information regarding suspicious activity in the Fo Tan area around the time of the incident to aid in the swift recovery of the stolen items and the apprehension of the culprits. The investigation remains ongoing.
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