Police arrest 11 in major crackdown on vehicle theft ring

Eleven people were arrested in a New Territories North vehicle theft crackdown after police recovered three stolen cars. The gang targeted poorly secured parking lots, selling vehicles to scrapyards. Charges include theft and handling stolen goods.

The criminal group primarily targeted poorly secured or unmonitored parking lots, stealing vehicles either for personal use or selling them at heavily discounted prices to scrapyards specializing in dismantling stolen cars. 

The operation, which ran from June 12 to 14, resulted in the arrest of suspects aged between 19 and 51 on charges including theft of a motor vehicle, taking conveyance without authority, vehicle burglary, and handling stolen goods.  

Authorities revealed that the syndicate had been active since April 11, with stolen motorcycles—accounting for over 50 percent of recent vehicle thefts in the area—being a particular focus. Some of the stolen vehicles were later traced to illegal scrapyards, known locally as "chop shops", where they were dismantled for parts.  

During coordinated raids on several scrapyards in Yuen Long, police successfully recovered another stolen motorcycle and arrested two men, aged 33 and 51, on suspicion of handling stolen goods.  

Two of the suspects have already been formally charged with unauthorized use of a transport vehicle and appeared before Sha Tin Magistrates' Court on June 14, while the remaining individuals have been released on bail pending further investigation.  

The arrested individuals include seven Hong Kong residents, one Kenyan national, and two Pakistani nationals, with occupations ranging from unemployed to transport workers.  

In light of the operation, police have issued a stern warning to the public, urging vehicle owners to take precautions such as ensuring doors and windows are securely locked, never leaving keys inside unattended vehicles, and avoiding parking in secluded areas. Authorities also recommended parking in well-monitored lots equipped with CCTV and security personnel, as well as installing anti-theft devices and GPS trackers to deter theft.