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Clifford Lo

After at least six recent cases, patrols are stepped up to catch suspected IIs

Police officers are setting hillside traps and   pretending to be hikers in an attempt to prevent a flood of robberies in country parks.

Uniformed and plain-clothes officers stepped up patrols of Lion Rock and Golden Hill country parks last month, said Chief Inspector James Robertson, assistant divisional commander (operations) at Tin Sum police division. A police dog unit is also involved.

Chief Inspector Robertson  said that if necessary, the operation would use a Government Flying Service helicopter, and officers from various tactical and emergency units.

At least five robberies and one attempted one have occurred in country parks in the first three months of this year, compared with  18 cases  last year.

Chief Inspector Robertson  said  mainland illegal immigrants were suspected. Victims reported that the robbers spoke Putonghua.

On Sunday night, a Pakistani man, 19, was stabbed in an attempted robbery while hiking in Golden Hill country park. He managed to overpower the assailant with help from a companion.

'The person armed with a knife approached them and asked them for money and food,' a police spokeswoman said. 'They ignored him and suddenly the armed person stabbed one of the two.'

The suspect reportedly told police  he was  aged 12. After checking his fingerprints, police confirmed the boy had been sent back to the mainland in January after being arrested in Hong Kong last November.

The  boy reportedly told police he had stayed in the country park after entering Hong Kong illegally by hiding under a truck on February 29.

Yesterday, about 30 Police Tactical Unit officers mounted a search in the park, near Shek Lei Pui reservoir in Shekkipmei, in an effort to find the suspect's hideout.

Cheung Sha Wan detectives are still investigating whether the would-be robber is linked with other country park robberies. The suspect was still being held for questioning last night.

Of 11  people  arrested in connection with robberies last year, 10 were illegal immigrants from the mainland.

Yesterday, Chief Inspector Robertson  advised hikers to walk in larger groups, leave route details with family members, carry mobile phones and to be alert.

A spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said it had distributed leaflets suggesting that people avoid quiet areas and carrying too many valuables while hiking.

'After a series of holdups,  our country park wardens have enhanced their patrols in our 23 country parks, especially over weekends, and maintain close liaison with the police,' he said.

The criminal trail

FEBRUARY 24: Two Korean women robbed in Lion Rock park.

FEBRUARY 28: Two women hikers confronted by two men, one armed with scissors in Lion Rock country park. A windbreaker, two mobile phones, a palm computer and $300 are taken.

FEBRUARY 29: A couple are tied to trees for about 12 hours in Tai Tam country park, after being  robbed by four men. Their plight comes to light when the mother of the held man calls his mobile phone. A robber, who has stolen the phone,  tells her of their plight.

MARCH 6: A young married couple are robbed of $3,000 and their valuables at knifepoint near the top of Lion Rock.

MARCH 13: A man, 38, his wife, 34, and their eight-year-old daughter are robbed by three men  in Lion Rock country park.  Credit cards, $800, a camera and  his training shoes are taken.

MARCH 14: A Pakistani man, 19, is stabbed in a robbery attempt while hiking in Golden Hill country park.



Police hide in country parks to foil robberies