Man arrested after deaf mute woman robbed and molested in Mong Kok
Police arrested a man in Mong Kok late on Friday night for allegedly robbing and molesting a deaf and mute woman.
After hunting the suspect for nearly two days after the alleged offences happened in Tai Kok Tsui, officers picked up the man, 24 and surnamed Lee, when patrolling Sai Yeung Choi Street South shortly before midnight.
“The man admitted he was involved in the case, and therefore we arrested him,” Wong Shek-to, an inspector with Mong Kok district anti-triad section, said on Saturday evening.
“We also uncovered the stolen mobile phone in Sin Tat Plaza [in Mong Kok] in the afternoon. We believed someone resold the phone immediately after it was robbed from the victim.”
Officers took Lee to his home at Hong Shun House, Tsing Yi, and searched his apartment.
A police source said the man might have tried to rape the woman, and the force would seek legal advice from the Department of Justice.
“We might consider laying a charge of attempted rape,” the source said.
The force launched the manhunt after studying CCTV footage, forensic evidence and testimony of witnesses, which suggested the suspect often lingered around Mong Kok and was very familiar with the area.
It was understood Lee had criminal records and was unemployed.
The 45-year-old victim walked past the car park of Hoi Fu Court on Hoi Wang Road in Thursday’s early hours. A man threatened her with a knife, stole her mobile phone and molested her before fleeing.
“We believe the crime was not planned,” the source continued.
He said the suspect had a crew cut when committing the crime, but that Lee shaved his head to avoid being caught. “But we recognised him by his bony body and his sharp collarbones,” he said.
By Sunday afternoon, Lee was still in police custody, but had not been charged.
