Authorities dismantled a gang that exploited social distancing measures to steal property from restaurants and construction sites in Vinh City.

On October 4th, Vinh City Police announced that they had successfully cracked a property theft case, arresting four suspects and determining that the stolen property was worth over 2.5 billion VND.

Previously, during the implementation of Government Directives 16 and 15 regarding...COVID-19 prevention and controlIn Vinh City and surrounding districts, theft and burglary have occurred at restaurants, service businesses, apartments, private homes, and construction sites.

Evidence seized in the case. Photo: Duc Vu

Notably, at the Havana restaurant located on Le Mao Street in Tan Phuc block, Vinh Tan ward (Vinh City), the perpetrators broke in and stole all the furniture, equipment, lighting system, cameras, and restaurant dishes, with initial estimated losses of approximately 350 million VND.

Based on information received from the public and verification and examination of crime scenes, the Criminal Police Team of Vinh City Police determined that between 0:00 and 4:00 AM, the perpetrators took advantage of the pandemic situation, with few people around, restaurants closed, and construction sites temporarily shut down, using tools and means to break down doors and steal property. The thieves stole a large amount of property, from expensive electronics to everyday household items.

The suspects are Le Quoc Hung and Bui Xuan Dong. Photo: Duc Vu

In response to this situation, under the direction of the Provincial Police leadership, the Vinh City Police assigned specific tasks and directed the Criminal Police Team to establish a special case to concentrate maximum resources and implement comprehensive measures to effectively combat this type of crime.

On September 27, 2021, more than 20 police officers from Vinh City Police Department simultaneously arrested and searched four individuals for theft: Bui Quang Cuong (born 1968), residing in Trung Do Ward (Vinh City); Nguyen Thanh Dong (born 1972), residing in Xuan Lam Commune (Hung Nguyen District); Le Quoc Hung (born 1991), residing in Ben Thuy Ward (Vinh City); and Bui Xuan Dong (born 1976), residing in Quan Bau Ward (Vinh City). They recovered various types of property, from electronic devices to household and shop items, with a total value exceeding 2.5 billion VND.

The suspects, Bui Quang Cuong and Nguyen Thanh Dong. Photo: Duc Vu

During questioning at the investigative agency, the suspects admitted to their crimes. Their methods were very sophisticated, making the investigation very difficult.

When restaurants, businesses, and construction sites closed due to Directive 16, the perpetrators chose shortcuts to enter and exit the city; under the cover of darkness, they wore masks, disabled electrical systems and security cameras, and broke in to steal property. After committing the crime, they used trailers to transport the stolen goods and dispersed along various routes to escape.

The abandoned house where the suspects hid the stolen property. Photo: Duc Vu

According to the Vinh City Police Chief, the arrested suspects all have one to four previous convictions for crimes including illegal drug trafficking and possession, and theft; the stolen property was hidden by the suspects in an abandoned house approximately 30 square meters in size.^2.

The Vinh City Police used three new trucks to transport all the stolen property. The investigation revealed that the suspects had committed three thefts in Nghe An province and ten thefts in Ha Tinh province.

The Vinh City Police are currently continuing and expanding their investigation.