Fake policeman arrested over mobile phone thefts from young people

[BalanceOfPower]

Fake policeman arrested over mobile phone thefts from young people

PUBLISHED : Friday, 14 February, 2014, 2:18pm
UPDATED : Friday, 14 February, 2014, 6:05pm

Clifford Lo [email protected]

Apliu Street in Sham Shui Po. Police say a 40-year-old man allegedly posed as a plain-clothed policeman to steal mobile phones from four young people in Sham Shui Po and North Point. Photo: Edmond So

A con artist who allegedly posed as a plain-clothed policeman to steal four mobile phones from four younger people was arrested on Friday morning.

According to police, one of the victims was a 12-year-old boy and the four phones were worth a total of HK$19,000.

The Hong Kong man, 40, was picked up by police at his home in Tat Hong House at Po Tat Estate, Sau Mau Ping at about 8am.

On Friday afternoon, the man was still being held for questioning and no charges had been laid.

An initial investigation showed the suspect posing as a plain-clothed officer stopped the victims separately on the streets in North Point and Sham Shui between last December and February.

He took their mobile phones and fled on foot after the victims, aged from 12 to 25, were ordered to hand over their belongings, according to police.

The Sham Shui Po district crime squad is investigating whether there are other victims who have not sought help from police.

Police have appealed other victims to contact officers at 2746-3455.

Posing as a police officer and theft are serious offences and the maximum penalty is a six-month and 10-year jail respectively, according to a police spokesman.