15 arrested over Sheung Wan 1bn yen robbery, cash still missing

Police have arrested 15 people in connection with last week’s high-profile robbery in Sheung Wan in which about 1 billion yen (around HK$50 million) was stolen, but the cash has yet to be recovered.

The robbery took place on Thursday morning (Dec 18) when two employees of a virtual currency shop were transporting four suitcases containing the cash after exchanging yen at a money changer in Wing Lok Street. As they got out of a vehicle near 181 Queen’s Road Central, several robbers armed with machetes and knives allegedly ambushed them and snatched the suitcases.

The suspects fled the scene in a seven-seater vehicle, completing the robbery in about 30 seconds. No one was injured.

Police officers who responded to the report later arrested a mainland Chinese man outside Exit D of Sheung Wan MTR station and found a suspected getaway vehicle nearby.

After several days of investigation, police said they had arrested a total of 11 men and four women on suspicion of conspiracy to commit robbery. Those arrested include the alleged mastermind and all the assailants involved in the attack. Some are believed to have triad backgrounds.

Speaking at a press briefing on Monday (Dec 22), Senior Superintendent Sam Sin Kwok-ming of the Hong Kong Island Regional Crime Unit said the stolen money has not yet been located.

Investigations are ongoing.