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Crime in Hong Kong
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The vehicle crashed into roadside railings. Photo: Edmond So

Hong Kong police open fire in interception and arrest of gang suspected to have stolen cab driver’s car

  • Group wounded and robbed victim before driving away in his car, according to force
  • Shot fired by traffic officer when vehicle sped towards him despite verbal warning

Hong Kong police opened fire as they stopped a car and arrested four suspected thieves, including two secondary school students, on Friday afternoon.

The incident happened on the Hong Lok Yuen Road flyover near the Hong Lok Yuen luxury housing estate in Tai Po, where the car, a seven-seater Toyota Alphard, was intercepted.

A police source said the four men had booked the car using a ride-hailing platform, to go from Tai Wai to Lau Fau Shan at about 2pm. When the journey was over, they robbed the driver of HK$1,000 (US$130), before kicking him out of the vehicle and driving off at about 3.45pm.

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“The driver suffered cut wounds in the neck and back,” a police spokesman said.

The victim then called police, who launched a citywide search for the car. A traffic officer spotted it near Hong Lok Yuen. When he tried to approach it, the driver backed up and smashed into his motorbike.

The quartet then sped off on Fanling Highway, hitting two other vehicles. Another traffic officer on the road opened fire at the car when it headed towards him despite a verbal warning.

The four suspects, aged 16 to 27, were arrested within half an hour of the alleged theft after the car crashed into roadside railings on Po Nga Road near Tai Po Tai Wo Road.

The four were being detained as of Friday night.

Uber, the city’s dominant ride-hailing provider, said the car involved was not registered on its platform.

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: End of the road
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