Bungling II thief picks wrong flat
An illegal immigrant who tried to burgle a police quarters flat was arrested by the off-duty resident inspector.
The bungled burglary happened three days after Cheung Ping, 25, entered another flat nearby in Kam Tsin Village, Sheung Shui, on August 4. He intended to steal some food but the flat was vacant.
Cheung admitted two charges of burglary and one of remaining in Hong Kong illegally. Judge Richard Hawkes jailed him for 39 months.
Inspector Robert McRobbie woke up to noise in the living room of his Beas Hill Police Quarters flat on August 7.
He walked in to find Cheung holding a plastic bag, prosecutor Martin Hui Siu-ting told the District Court. Cheung gave the inspector the bag and tried to flee, but was subdued after a brief struggle.
Police later found a Walkman, tapes, a wallet and clothing in the bag.
Judge Hawkes said crimes committed by illegal immigrants were considered serious, but he took into account mitigation by Des Greenwood for the defence.
The judge said had Cheung not confessed to the earlier burglary it would not have been discovered.
