Police say they have paralysed an international robbery syndicate, which distracted victims by splashing ketchup on their clothes, after nine people were arrested in Central and Lantau yesterday.
Six of the 'ketchup gang' - five men and a woman - were detained when they allegedly injured a jeweller and snatched his briefcase containing US$2 million (HK$15.6 million) in Stanley Street at about 1pm yesterday. The other three - two men and a woman - were rounded up in Mui Wo. All nine are Colombian.
Assistant Central district commander (crime), Superintendent Maurice Ng Po-keung, said: 'We believe the South Americans are a sophisticated international syndicate and active in Asian countries like Singapore and Taiwan, but recently moved to Hong Kong.
'They are tourists and are allowed to stay in the SAR for three months. But their core members usually go to China or Macau and then return to Hong Kong before their visa expires. Some have been here since 1999.' He said they look for targets in banks, money exchanges or jewellery shops and then follow them to a quiet place where they carry out robberies.
'Their tactics are simple. They usually splash ketchup on to victims' clothes or ask for directions to divert attention. When the victims place their valuables on the ground the other members steal them,' Mr Ng said.
Officers said the gang had been involved in about 30 cases in Central this year and each case usually involved at least three members. They have been active in Tsim Sha Tsui, Mongkok, Central and Wan Chai.