Hong Kong police arrest man who allegedly punched, robbed sex worker in Causeway Bay
- The 37-year-old suspect booked an appointment for early on Tuesday, only to ransack the Lockhart Road flat when he arrived
- The victim was punched in the face as she attempted to stop him, according to police
Security camera footage has led to the arrest of a 37-year-old man suspected of assaulting and robbing a Hong Kong sex worker, police said on Thursday.
The suspect was tracked to his subdivided flat in Causeway Bay and taken into custody at 5.30pm on Wednesday, according to Detective Inspector Lai Cheuk-fung. A pair of sports shoes and clothing allegedly worn by the assailant were also seized in the home.
The Yee Wo Street residence is located just 500 metres from the scene of the alleged crime, a flat inside Diamond Mansion on Lockhart Road.
Lai said investigators had identified the suspect and determined where he lived after poring over a large quantity of security camera footage.
The investigation showed the suspect had made an appointment for sex services via text message the day before the assault.
After entering her flat at about 1.45am on Tuesday, the man did not demand sex, but instead began looking around the residence and tried to open a wardrobe, according to police.
“The victim was suspicious and tried to stop him, but was punched in the face,” Lai said. “She then immediately ran out of the flat to seek help.”
The inspector said the suspect was accused of stealing HK$1,100 (US$141) in cash from the flat before officers arrived. The woman did not require treatment in hospital.
As of 2pm on Thursday, the suspect was still being held for questioning and had not been charged.
In the first six months of this year, police handled 67 reports of robbery across the city, down 64 per cent from 186 in the same period a year ago.
