An electrical and engineering shop in Tsuen Wan was robbed of eight second-hand air-conditioners worth around HK$8,000 last Saturday (the 4th). Refusing to take the loss, the owner kept watch inside the shop overnight. In the early hours of yesterday, the thief returned — wearing the very same clothes — to steal more units. Spotting him on CCTV, the owner alerted police and the thief was caught red-handed.
The shop, located at 15 Castle Peak Road, Tsuen Wan Garden, has been operating for years selling mostly second-hand appliances. The 32-year-old owner, surnamed Wong, said second-hand AC units and parts are usually displayed outside after closing. On the 4th, eight units worth around HK$8,000 disappeared. CCTV footage showed a middle-aged man in an orange shirt and shorts wheeling the units away. Mr Wong suspected the thief would return for more.
Overnight Stakeout
Around 1am yesterday, Mr Wong heard noises outside and saw on CCTV the same man — still in orange shirt and shorts — loading air-conditioners onto a hand-cart. He quietly called the police, who surrounded the shop. The suspect, a 43-year-old man surnamed Lam who also claims to work in the AC trade, was arrested while trying to make off with two condenser units worth around HK$3,000.