Robbery suspect held in Yuen Long police station in shared cell dies days after arrest

A 44-year-old man detained at Yuen Long Division Police Station died last night -- three days after being arrested on Sunday for suspected robbery.

The New Territories North Regional Crime Unit is investigating the circumstances of his death inside a police station cell. 

The man surnamed Wong was arrested on Sunday on suspicion of robbery and held at the Yuen Long police station.

He was found unresponsive in the detention room around 7pm Wednesday night [Feb 12] and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The cause of death is pending an autopsy, while police have indicated that the man had a medical history and had sought medical attention two days prior to his arrest on Sunday.

It is understood that Wong had ties to Wo Shing Wo triad, the secret society with the longest history in Hong Kong. 

He was suspected of attacking a 75-year-old man with a glue bottle and stealing HK$1,000 from the victim’s wallet early Sunday morning outside Tin Ching Estate Ching Hoi House in Tin Shui Wai.

Wong allegedly committed the crime together with two young men aged around 18 and 20, who had connections to the Sun Yee On triad.

Following an investigation, police arrested three individuals at Wong's residence, along with a 20-year-old man surnamed Leung, also connected to Sun Yee On.

Sources indicated that the deceased was detained alongside the other two suspects in a holding cell at the Yuen Long police station on Castle Peak Road while Leung was subsequently released. 

It is also understood that the deceased was charged and taken to Tuen Mun Law Courts at 8am yesterday.

However, the officer in charge of the case deemed further investigation into the robbery was necessary, leading to the three suspects being returned to the Yuen Long police station for an identification parade.

(Cheng Wong)