Hong Kong police have dismantled a motorcycle theft syndicate and arrested five people linked to 14 cases, amid a rise in such crimes in the first quarter of the year. Senior Inspector Fu Ho-shing of the Kowloon West regional crime unit said the group targeted motorcycles in back alleys or secluded areas in West Kowloon and Tsuen Wan.
Police announced on Saturday that they had dismantled the syndicate. Senior Inspector Fu Ho-shing of the Kowloon West regional crime unit said the group primarily targeted motorcycles parked in back alleys or secluded areas in West Kowloon and Tsuen Wan, where surveillance was limited.
"Some of the stolen motorcycles were parked in locations without CCTV coverage, increasing the difficulty of our investigation," Fu said.
The syndicate also targeted delivery workers who left their vehicles unattended or with engines running during drop-offs. Police said members had clearly defined roles: one acted as a lookout, another tampered with the vehicle's wiring to start it, and a third moved the stolen motorcycle to a remote location for handover to buyers.
The cases span multiple districts across Hong Kong, including West Kowloon and Tsuen Wan, amid a rise in motorcycle thefts in the first quarter of the year.