Eliminate a gang specializing in stealing safes at spiritual places

Initially, Nghi Loc District Police arrested 6 subjects who committed more than 25 thefts at temples, pagodas, and churches in Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces.

The place to "take action" is thetemple, pagoda, church

From the beginning of September 2022 to present, there have been cases of safe theft at temples, pagodas, and churches in Nghi Loc district and neighboring areas.

The incidenttheft of propertyat temples, pagodas, and churches, causing outrage among the people, requiring the authorities to urgently find the culprit. Clearly identifying the nature of the incident, Nghi Loc District Police reported to the leaders and heads of the Provincial Police Investigation Agency to ask for direction to establish a special investigation project.

Evidence seized in the case. Photo: Hong Ngoc

From the traces at the scene and evidence collected during the investigation and verification, it can be seen that the thefts were all committed by a group of individuals who were organized, professional and reckless.

However, because the criminals mainly committed the crimes at night, the temples, pagodas, and churches that the group chose to commit the crimes were rarely guarded, so there were no witnesses. The thefts often occurred a long time before the victims reported them to the police, so the police encountered many difficulties in fighting the case.

With the determination to fight crime to the end, the process of reviewing and collecting documents and evidence, on November 20, 2022, Nghi Loc District Police coordinated with Nghi Huong Ward Police, Cua Lo Town and Nam Giang Commune Police, Nam Dan District to successfully break the case, initially arresting 6 subjects for property theft.

The 6 subjects arrested by the police all reside in Nghi Loc district, including: Le Thanh Tu (born in 2000), Nguyen Tien Kien (born in 2000), Nguyen Xuan Dat (born in 2004), Le Duc Quang (born in 2001), Ng.TT (born in 2006), all residing in Nghi Trung commune and NHV (born in 2007), residing in Hoa Tay hamlet, Nghi Hoa commune. These subjects have bad personal records, many criminal records for theft and drug use. All are under the management of Nghi Loc district police.

2 months committed 25 property thefts

The suspects and the evidence were arrested at the police station. Photo: Hong Ngoc

Working with the police, the subjects confessed that in order to have money to spend, since the beginning of August 2022, the group of subjects used motorbikes in pairs to monitor the situation of temples, pagodas, and churches in the area inside and outside the district during the day. After identifying the "prey", at night, the subjects used tools including pliers, safe-breaking tools (hammers, pry bars, sharp knives, etc.) to break in, cut the door lock, break the safe or steal the safe to an area with few people passing by to break the safe to take money and personal belongings.

Initially, the police agency proved that the subjects had committed more than 25 thefts at temples and pagodas in Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces with a total loss of more than 300 million VND.

Seized evidence: 10 safes, 8 mobile phones, 3 motorbikes, 2 iron cutters, 2 pry bars, 2 hammers, 1 sharp knife, more than 30 million VND in cash and related evidence and documents.

This is a special case of property theft at spiritual places. The subjects carried out the acts very professionally and sophisticatedly, often changing the locations of the acts. Therefore, the successful breaking of the case and arrest of the subjects by Nghi Loc District Police contributed to ensuring security and order in the area, which was recognized and highly appreciated by the authorities, religious dignitaries and the masses, helping people to enjoy Tet and welcome Spring safely and peacefully.