In addition to forcing car owners to pay for overnight parking, the gang also forced drivers and assistants to pay an additional 2-3 million VND/month to avoid being beaten or having their cars damaged.

Two of the three subjects in the group - Photo: Provided by the police

On the evening of August 24, information from the Duong Kinh District Police, Hai Phong City, said that they were temporarily detaining Vu Van Chien (25 years old), Luong Van Thang (32 years old, both residing in Dai Dong Commune, Kien Thuy District) and Nguyen Van Bien (30 years old, residing in Hoa Nghia Ward, Duong Kinh District) to investigate the acts of protection, extortion, and destruction of property of drivers and owners of passenger vans running on the Tuyen Quang - Yen Bai - Hai Phong route.

The police agency determined that since the beginning of June 2016, when the passenger buses on the above route arrived at Anh Dung ward, Duong Kinh district, to park and stay overnight, the group of Chien, Bien and Thang immediately required that in addition to paying for parking, they must also pay an additional 2 - 3 million VND/month. Otherwise, the driver and assistant would be beaten or the bus would be smashed and the windows would be broken.

Notably, on the evening of June 11, this group asked Mr. Vu Dinh Cuong (32 years old, residing in Yen Binh town, Yen Binh district, Yen Bai province, a bus driver) to pay 2 million VND in protection money for the parking lot. Mr. Cuong did not pay.

On the night of June 13, while driving a passenger bus to Ms. Dam Thi Toan's house in Anh Dung ward, Duong Kinh district, to park, the group used iron balls to break the glass, causing damage of about 10.5 million VND.

On June 21, Mr. Cuong had to pay this group 1.5 million VND.

However, on the night of June 26, Mr. Cuong's car's windshield continued to be broken, requiring a total of 10.5 million VND to replace.

Similarly, in June 2016, Mr. Dao Hai Tuyen (33 years old, residing in Vinh Loc town, Chiem Hoa district, Tuyen Quang province, a passenger bus driver) had to pay 2 million VND in monthly protection money to the above group.

On the evening of July 10, this group continued to demand 2 million VND in vehicle protection money. Unable to bear it any longer, Mr. Tuyen went to the police station to report the incident.

From information provided by the drivers, the police verified the incident and persuaded Vu Van Chien to surrender to the authorities on August 16.

Expanding the investigation of the case, on August 23, the Investigation Police Department of Duong Kinh District issued an emergency arrest warrant for Luong Van Thang and Nguyen Van Bien for investigation.

According to Tuoi Tre