HIV-infected thief scratches police officer's hand, bites tongue to commit suicide when arrested in Nghe An

In the middle of August 2019, Yen Thanh District Police received many reports from the public about frequent motorbike thefts. After receiving the information, the District Police leaders assigned officers and soldiers of the Criminal Police to quickly go to the scene, verify, work with the victims, and at the same time review and use many professional measures to build up suspects.

Two subjects Tran Van Tu and Pham Van Hoa were arrested. Photo: Duc Vu

On August 18, 2019, after collecting all documents and evidence, Yen Thanh District Police simultaneously arrested two suspects in an emergency: Tran Van Tu, born in 1993, residing in Dong Phu hamlet, Dong Thanh commune, Yen Thanh district and Pham Van Hoa, born in 1984, residing in hamlet 6, Dien Hoa commune, Dien Chau district for theft of property. During the arrest, the investigation agency encountered many difficulties because Tran Van Tu and Pham Van Hoa were two drug addicts for a long time, and Hoa was infected with HIV in the final stage.

In Dien Ngoc commune, Dien Chau district, when the Criminal Police force of Yen Thanh district police conducted a siege, Pham Van Hoa was driving a previously stolen motorbike (with the license plate removed) and ran away into the field. The police team of 3 comrades chased and arrested the subject.

Seeing that he could not escape, thinking he was in the final stages of HIV, Pham Van Hoa acted recklessly, bit his tongue with the intention of committing suicide, but failed.

Despite knowing clearly that Pham Van Hoa was in the final stages of HIV infection, the working group still disregarded the danger and rushed in to knock him down and escort him to the police station. During the arrest, some comrades in the working group had their hands scratched by the subject.

Yen Thanh District Police inspect stolen motorbikes. Photo: Minh Khoi

At the Yen Thanh District Police Investigation Agency, the two suspects admitted to their crimes. Accordingly, to have money to satisfy their addiction, Pham Van Hoa and Tran Van Tu committed 9 motorbike thefts in Yen Thanh and Dien Chau districts.

After each successful theft, they sold the motorbikes to get money for drug use. During the investigation, Yen Thanh District Police confiscated 5 stolen motorbikes and identified the owners to return them to the victims.

Currently, Yen Thanh District Police have prosecuted and temporarily detained 2 subjects.