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Hong Kong police arrest man linked to 13 burglaries, mostly at kindergartens

Police warn they will step up patrols over holiday season, with 46-year-old suspect accused of carrying out burglaries in seven-month period

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Some of the items allegedly stolen in the spate of burglaries. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong police have arrested a man in connection with 13 burglaries, mostly targeting kindergartens, with losses exceeding HK$230,000 (US$29,570), while the force has warned it will step up patrols over the holiday season.

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Senior Inspector Lau Wing-lam of the northern New Territories regional crime unit said on Sunday the 46-year-old suspect was accused of carrying out the burglaries between May to December this year.

“Cracking down on crimes that target quick cash is a key project of the police commissioner. During the coming holidays, the force will also boost patrols at burglary black spots to clamp down on criminal activity,” Lau said.

Kindergartens were targeted in 11 of the cases and losses in those burglaries exceeded HK$180,000, which included HK$150,000 of cash and electronic products.

The burglar allegedly stole a combined HK$43,000 in cash and electronics from a construction site and an office in the two other cases.

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Investigations showed the man would act alone around midnight, wedging open doors or windows to gain entry and steal cash and electronics, such as laptops, cameras and mobile phones.

Senior Inspector Lau Wing-lam of the northern New Territories regional crime unit says the 46-year-old suspect was accused of carrying out the burglaries between May to December this year. Photo: Handout
Senior Inspector Lau Wing-lam of the northern New Territories regional crime unit says the 46-year-old suspect was accused of carrying out the burglaries between May to December this year. Photo: Handout
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