Prosecution and temporary detention of "lovers" who ran out of money and decided to rob together

On August 16, information from the People's Procuracy of Buon Ma Thuot City (Dak Lak), the unit has just approved the decision to prosecute the accused and the detention order against Pham Minh Kien (born 2001, residing on Le Hong Phong Street, Tan Tien Ward, Buon Ma Thuot City) and Ngo Thi Huyen Phuong (born 1996, residing at Nguyen Du Collective Housing Area, Thuong Tin Town, Thuong Tin District, Hanoi City) to investigate the act of "Robbery".

According to the initial investigation, during his time working in Hanoi, Kien met Phuong (a student at the University of Theatre and Cinema). They fell in love and rented a house to live together as husband and wife.

When they discovered this relationship, Kien's family stopped them. On July 25, Phuong took a bus from Hanoi to Nha Trang to meet Kien. Then, the two took a bus to Da Lat to play. On the morning of August 1, Kien and Phuong took a bus to Buon Ma Thuot. There, they rented a motel room on Ly Tu Trong Street to stay.

On August 2, the two went to Coop Mart to buy things. Kien bought a Thai knife for self-defense. But because he ran out of money, Kien decided to rob someone.

On the morning of August 3, Kien walked alone on the streets of Buon Ma Thuot City, to observe and find a suitable location to commit the robbery. When walking to Ngo Quyen Street, Kien saw a clothing shop with only Ms. Dang Thi Thuy Trang selling goods alone, so he went inside to observe for a while, then Kien went back to the motel and told Phuong:"I'm out of money. I saw a shop with only one owner. I went there and threatened her with a knife to get money.".

Then, Kien took the knife and put it in his pocket. They both walked to the shop. On the way, Kien said:"You go into the shop and distract the owner, I will come from behind and cover her mouth and use a knife to threaten her to take her money."

At around 7pm the same day, both of them entered the clothing store above. Phuong pretended to choose clothes and was advised by Trang. At this time, Kien rushed from behind, covered Trang's mouth, and then stabbed Trang repeatedly. The stabbing pain made Trang struggle to escape and shout "Robbery, Robbery". The entire crime of Kien and Phuong was recorded by the security camera at the clothing store.

After committing the crime, Phuong was scared so she ran outside. Kien then threw the knife at the shop and ran with Phuong to the motel to change clothes. A while later, Kien took a taxi to a relative's house to borrow 200,000 VND and then returned to the motel.

On the morning of August 4, the two took a bus to Nha Trang City, and then told Kien’s family the whole story. After learning about the incident, the family took Kien and Phuong to the police station to surrender.

In the forensic injury conclusion No. 929/PY-TgT dated August 4, 2018 of Dak Lak Provincial Forensic Center, it was concluded that Ms. Trang suffered multiple injuries, damage to the tendons of her left wrist and fingers with an injury rate of 12% health damage.

The case is currently being investigated and clarified by the police to be handled according to the provisions of law.