3 Hong Kong teens among 4 arrested over thefts from claw machines
- Arrests made after security footage circulated online showing three teen boys and girl wandering around claw machine shops in Kings Wing Plaza 2 in Sha Tin
- Officers from Sha Tin district arrested three teens aged 13 to 16 and a 25-year-old local man between Friday and Sunday
Police have arrested four suspects, including three teens, for allegedly stealing stuffed toys out of claw machines in a Hong Kong shopping centre last week.
The arrests were made after security footage said to have been taken on Thursday circulated online showing three teen boys and a girl wandering around claw machine shops in Kings Wing Plaza 2 in Shek Mun, Sha Tin.
A teen is seen pointing to one claw machine and heard asking: “Should we get this one?” before reaching into the machine through its front chute and pulling out three large stuffed toys. They then hastily leave the area with the toys.
A police spokesman said on Sunday reports had been received about thefts from several claw machine shops in the mall on Friday, but he did not elaborate on whether they were linked.
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Officers from Sha Tin district arrested three teens aged 13 to 16 and a 25-year-old local man between Friday and Sunday.
Police also recovered stolen merchandise valued at about HK$5,000 (US$639), as well as clothing worn by suspects at the time of the crimes.
The suspects were being detained for questioning, and the investigation was ongoing with further arrests possible, the spokesman said.
Sha Tin police are investigating the case.
