Police make two further arrests in 1b yen Sheung Wan robbery

Police have arrested two more local men in connection with the brazen robbery of approximately 1 billion Japanese yen from two Japanese company employees in Sheung Wan earlier this month, bringing the total number of suspects in custody to 17.

The latest arrests occurred on Tuesday in the Yuen Long and Tuen Mun districts.

The two men, aged 28 and 36, are suspected of conspiracy to commit robbery.

Sources indicate the 36-year-old played a role in recruiting other members of the criminal group.

Both have been charged with one count of conspiracy to rob and are scheduled to appear in Fanling Magistrates' Court on Friday.

The robbery took place on the morning of December 18, when the victims arrived at Wing Lok Street to exchange the large sum of yen, equivalent to around HK$50 million.

As they stood outside number 33, a seven-seater vehicle pulled up, and three masked robbers emerged, one armed with a 20-centimeter meat cleaver.

The robbers threatened the victims, seized four suitcases containing the cash, and fled in the vehicle.

No one was injured in the incident, and the victims immediately reported it to police.

Investigators from the Hong Kong Island police district recovered the initial getaway vehicle near the scene, finding inside the cleaver, used masks, and drinks.

A second relay vehicle was later located in the New Territories.

Through extensive review of security camera footage, police have previously arrested 15 suspects, including the alleged mastermind and all the robbers who carried out the attack.

Most are local residents reported as unemployed or casual construction workers, with some having triad connections.

Seven of those arrested have already been charged, and their case has been adjourned until March next year.

Authorities continue to hunt for the missing cash.