5 suspects detained for staging "traffic collisions" to pickpocket

This gang usually rides multiple motorbikes and when they find their “prey”, they pretend to have a traffic accident. Taking advantage of the victim’s panic, the gangs strike.

On the morning of January 23, District 3 Police, Ho Chi Minh City, announced that they were temporarily detaining five suspects in a gang that specialized in staging traffic accidents to steal property from passersby, operating in the area that the unit had just dismantled.

The five people detained include: Nguyen Thi Thao (58 years old), Kieu Ngoc Lich (44 years old), Truong Khac Bao (37 years old), Do Minh Phuong (30 years old) and Nguyen Thanh Nhat (22 years old). Among them, "monster" Nguyen Thi Thao was identified as the ringleader.

Accordingly, the modus operandi of this gang is that they often ride many motorbikes around the central streets of Ho Chi Minh City. When they identify their “prey”, they drive their motorbikes close and pretend to have a traffic collision.

"Monster" Nguyen Thi Thao, the subject identified as the leader of a gang that staged car crashes to steal property from passersby.

When the pedestrian fell, his accomplices came up behind him and cursed him, causing him to panic. Taking advantage of this moment, the subjects would pickpocket and steal the victim's property. Based on the victim's report, District 3 Police established a special task force to fight the crime.

The most recent incident this gang committed was on the morning of January 21 on Ban Co Street, Ward 4, District 3. Discovering a man riding a motorbike with a stack of money in his pocket, "monster" Thao and her accomplices staged a scene where they drove into him with the intention of picking his pocket.

The man snatched the property back from a member of Thao's gang.

The suspects were arrested before committing the crime on the afternoon of January 21.

However, the man discovered and shouted for help, and some locals intervened. Realizing that their plan was not successful, Thao's group ran away.

That same afternoon, when Thao and his accomplices continued to stroll along Ly Thai To Street, District 3, and when the group was about to "buy goods", they were ambushed and arrested by undercover detectives. In addition to District 3, the police determined that the gang led by Thao had used the method of staging scenes to steal property from passersby in other districts.

According to Infonet