Thieves Nab 8 Boxes Of Face Masks From Hong Kong Car

Story ByLee Bullen,Sub EditorJoseph Golder,AgencyAsia Wire Report

Picture Credit: AsiaWire/@HongKongPoliceForce

A man has been arrested in Hong Kong for breaking into a parked car and stealing eight boxes of face masks which are currently in huge demand in the region because of the Coronavirus outbreak.

The 53-year-old car owner reported the theft to the police after arriving at his parked vehicle to find a back window smashed and his eight boxes of N95 masks missing, according to reports.

Local media said the theft took place on 11th February and a 33-year-old suspect was arrested in the town of Sheung Shui in the south-eastern Chinese region of Hong Kong the following day.

The unnamed thief reportedly stole 160 face masks in eight boxes.

Picture Credit: AsiaWire/@HongKongPoliceForce

The police managed to track down the man after reviewing CCTV footage.

A police spokesperson said that a second suspect has also been identified and that the authorities will make “every effort to bring him to justice” as well.

The alleged robbery comes amid a spike in face-mask thefts in Hong Kong, as well as across the country, out of fears surrounding the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak.

In Hong Kong, thieves recently stole 750 masks worth 3,000 HKD (297 GBP) from a man in Sham Shui Po while a woman reported the theft of 1,000 face masks in Tsim Sha Tsui just one hour later, according to reports.

As of 12th February, Hong Kong has reported one related death and 50 confirmed cases of the virus.

Picture Credit: AsiaWire/@HongKongPoliceForce

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