Professional dog stealing gang causes chaos in rural areas of Do Luong, Nam Dan

In the early morning of April 23, the Criminal Police Department of Nghe An Police broke up the case and urgently arrested Cao Ngoc Thao (born in 1985), residing in Hamlet 6, Tan Son Commune (Do Luong); Nguyen Tat Lai (born in 1976), residing in Hamlet 6, Tan Son Commune (Do Luong) and Le Van Que (born in 1972), residing in Hamlet 5, Quang Son Commune (Do Luong) for investigation."Theft of property" behavior.

This is the groupdog thiefprofessional, sophisticated and reckless, causing outrage among the people in the two districts of Nam Dan and Do Luong in recent times.

Subjects Cao Ngoc Thao, Nguyen Tat Lai and Le Van Que. Photo: Binh Minh

During the "practice", the subjects coordinated quite smoothly and communicated with each other regularly.

Cao Ngoc Thao prepared tools for stealing dogs such as electric shock, pliers, scissors, tape, rubber crossbows, etc. Nguyen Tat Lai drove Thao on a motorbike to deserted roads, and when he found a dog that was running free, he would electrocute it or shoot it with marbles to make it faint. Then, he would use tape to tightly wrap the dog's mouth so that it wouldn't be bitten and wouldn't make noise, then put it in a sack and run away. If people discovered and chased them, the subjects were ready to use weapons and pepper spray to fight back.

In this professional dog-catching group, Le Van Que is an accomplice. Que is the owner of a dog meat restaurant in Quang Son commune (Do Luong). When in need, Que calls Thao and Lai to "place an order". Que is also the one who supplies gasoline for Thao and Lai. Que's house is designed with high walls, with only one entrance and exit, a very sturdy rolling door. When Thao and Lai steal dogs, they call Que in advance, and Que opens the rolling door just enough. At this time, Lai turns off the lights, cuts the clutch to reduce the sound of the motorbike, and rushes into the house. The rolling door is quickly closed...

Confiscated exhibits. Photo: Binh Minh

Cao Ngoc Thao had been in prison for stealing dogs. With his "experience" in the "profession", Thao had researched ways to electrocute and shoot marbles just enough to make the dogs faint, but still healthy after waking up in order to sell them for a high price. In just about 3 hours in the early morning of April 23, Thao and Lai stole 9 dogs in Nam Dan and Do Luong districts.

During the investigation, the Criminal Police Department mobilized 25 officers and soldiers to monitor and ambush for many nights to catch the suspect red-handed. The Criminal Police Department also received cooperation from Quang Son Commune Police and enthusiastic support from local authorities and the masses.

Police took statement from suspect Cao Ngoc Thao. Photo: Binh Minh

Police seized 9 dogs, weighing a total of 114 kg; 1 electric shock device, 1 motorbike, 1 homemade sword, 1 pepper spray and many other tools used to commit crimes.

The case is currently being expanded.