Manhunt on for three suspects after Hong Kong police officers sprayed in face with unknown substance at roadblock checkpoint
- Trio fled on foot after attack in Tin Shui Wai, while car’s driver and front-seat passenger were arrested in vehicle after 300-metre pursuit
- The two officers were taken to Tuen Mun Hospital to have their eyes treated and examined
A Hong Kong police sergeant and a constable were sprayed in the face with an unknown solution during an identity check at a roadblock on Tuesday night, leading to two arrests and sparking a citywide search for three men.
The trio were sitting in the rear of a Toyota minivan when it was pulled over for a snap check at a police roadblock on Tin Ha Road in Tin Shui Wai at about 10.15pm on Tuesday. The car’s driver, 28, and front-seat passenger, 31, are in custody.
When a female sergeant and a male constable approached and asked the men to produce their identification documents, a passenger in the back “sprayed the two officers in the face with the unknown liquid, then fled on foot with two other passengers towards nearby Tin Sam Tsuen,” a police source said.
At this juncture, the driver and front-seat passenger attempted to flee in the car, which was intercepted after a 300-metre pursuit. According to police, the two were arrested on suspicion of assaulting police and obstruction of officers in the execution of duty.
Dozens of officers, including Police Tactical Unit personnel, scouted the area but found no trace of the other three.
The two injured officers were taken to Tuen Mun Hospital to have their eyes treated, according to the force. Police said the driver was also taken to Tin Shui Wai Hospital for a check-up after complaining of feeling unwell.
An investigation showed the car belonged to the driver, but had a fake number plate at the time of the incident, according to the source, for which he was also arrested.
The source said preliminary inspection found no incriminating items in the car.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the two suspects were being held for questioning and had not been charged.
