After weeks of investigation, HCMC police have arrested 12 suspects who allegedly targeted tourists in the city’s backpacker area.
Related Articles:
- [Video] Brazen HCMC Dog Thieves Strike In Broad Daylight
- Police Shoot, Arrest iPhone Thieves Near Ben Thanh Market
- 2 Foreigners Arrested for iPhone Snatching
The ring, which police believe were responsible for over 400 thefts in the area, was busted at 3am last Thursday after the gang’s alleged leader was apprehended for stealing an iPhone 4 from an American tourist on Bùi Viện Street. The rest of the alleged crew was arrested with some facing charges of stealing property and others for trading stolen goods.
According to Thanh Nien, each member of the gang had different roles in the thefts:
“One woman chewing-gums peddler would look for tourists with valuables belongings.
Some other women, including Dung, who also disguised as street peddlers, would approach and distract the target before grabbing their wallets or mobile phones.
Several male members would wait on their bike to pick up the women and flee the scene, as well as to block the victims from chasing.
One man, meanwhile, owned a mobile phone shop on Tran Hung Dao St. where they sold the stolen goods.”
Perhaps the bust signals a renewed effort to crack down on crime in the backpacker area.
