Man arrested after HK$1 million in gems stolen from hotel guest asleep in lobby
Police say suspect allegedly took advantage of situation to search overseas businessman’s backpack and remove uncut gemstones
Hong Kong police have arrested a man and recovered uncut gemstones worth nearly HK$1 million (US$127,500) that were allegedly snatched from an overseas businessman as he slept in a hotel lobby.
The force said on Monday that the suspected theft happened a day earlier while the businessman, a 29-year-old jeweller from Sri Lanka, was in the city for the “Jewellery & Gem World Hong Kong September” trade fair.
The jewellery was allegedly taken from the victim as he slept in the lobby, where he was waiting to check in at a hotel near Hong Kong International Airport.
Police said the suspect was believed to have taken advantage of the situation to search the businessman’s backpack placed on his luggage and removed a batch of uncut gemstones valued at nearly HK$1 million before fleeing.
