Hong Kong police sergeant faces jail for stealing colleague’s credit cards to buy iPhones, McDonald’s fast food

Johnny Lau Chun-ning, 35, pleaded guilty to three counts each of theft and obtaining property by deception at the District Court on Monday over the offences he committed just one month after he was promoted from constable in January 2019.

Prosecutors said the now-suspended traffic officer first stole the credit card of colleague Leung Lok-lun at Sheung Shui Police Station in mid-February of that year, when the latter left his wallet in an open locker while on duty.

Leung found the lost card inserted back into his wallet on February 25, three days after receiving a replacement. He then terminated the new card on March 4.

But when the victim checked his wallet again two days later, he found the original card, which he had kept inside, had been switched for the new one he had just cancelled.

Bank records showed Lau had used the two credit cards to pay bills at three different McDonald’s branches, as well as to buy three iPhones worth HK$9,899 each.

Lau confessed to the crime under caution, adding he had learned about Leung’s habit of keeping his locker open because his own one was nearby.