Hong Kong man turns himself in, stands trial for 90s robbery that ended in fatal shoot-out with police and six hurt by grenade
- Yip Wing-fat, 58, was arrested over mastermind role in 1993 crime but disappeared while out on bail, turning himself in to police only last year
- HK$1.2 million case ended in one member gunned down by officers, while five policemen and a passer-by were hurt by explosive thrown
A Hong Kong man who was on the run for more than two decades finally stood trial on Wednesday over an armed robbery in a jewellery shop where five policemen and a civilian were injured by a grenade hurled by criminals.
The High Court heard that in the violent confrontation in North Point on February 15, 1993, officers fired 13 shots, gunning down one of the pistol-wielding robbers.
Opening their case 26 years later, prosecutors said Yip Wing-fat, 58, was arrested but later went on the run until he turned himself in to police last year.
Prosecutor Duncan Percy said Yip brought together masterminds behind the HK$1.25 million crime, and was promised HK$50,000 if the robbery turned out to be a success.
Percy said Yip, while not being part of the action on the ground, “was still deeply involved in the robbery” as he was in charge of planning it.
Yip has pleaded not guilty to one count of robbery. He had teamed up with others to rob staff members Tse Ka-fai and Ho Chi-chung at the Emperor Gold and Jewellery shop on King’s Road, the indictment stated.
