HAD your luxury car stolen? Police can't help? Don't dial 999, call your ''resourceful friends'' instead.
That's how top racehorse trainer Brian Kan Ping-chee traced his stolen Mercedes to its new home in China when it was stolen in January.
When police seemed powerless to help, the trainer revealed how he got straight on the phone to ''people in the know'', who led Chinese police to the criminals within a matter of hours.
Yesterday, Kan was in bouyant mood when he was reunited with his grey limousine at Wong Tai Sin Police Station. His was among the eight stolen luxury cars handed back to Hongkong late last week.
Although damage was estimated at $40,000, Kan said he would repair it rather than sell the car.
''I'm lucky to get my car back before anyone buys and uses it,'' he said. ''This was thanks to my wide connections, who helped me a lot in retrieving the car.'' He is not alone in going over the police's head when faced with a stolen car. Legislative councillors have also spoken of a network which can help you find your motor - at a price.
