Nurse robbed of HK$4,000 in cash and valuables outside Hong Kong hospital in 20-second attack
- Police find suspect’s identity card and arrest him at his home near Haven of Hope Hospital an hour later
- The suspect, 34, is in debt after losing heavily while gambling, according to police investigation
A mugger robbed a nurse of HK$4,000 (US$512) in cash and valuables outside a public hospital in Hong Kong on Monday night, but he left behind his identity card that led to his arrest an hour later.
The hold-up took place at the entrance of an underpass outside Haven of Hope Hospital in Tseung Kwan O when the victim left after work at around 10pm.
“The man grabbed the victim’s neck from behind and snatched her handbag and watch,” Inspector Lai Tat-ching of the Tseung Kwan O criminal investigation unit on Tuesday said.
Lai said the man ran away but left his wallet behind.
A passer-by who saw the scuffle between the pair gave chase but the robber managed to escape.
A police source said no weapon was used in the hold-up that took only between 10 and 20 seconds.
He said officers searched the area, recovered the victim’s bank cards and personal belongings, and also discovered the suspect’s wallet that contained his identity card.
After finding his address, officers went to his home at a public housing estate about 500 metres (1,640 feet) from the hospital and arrested him.
“Inside his flat, officers recovered the victim’s handbag and watch along with some cash,” the source said.
He said an initial investigation suggested the man, 34, was in debt after losing heavily while gambling.
As of Tuesday afternoon, he was still being held for questioning and had not been charged.
Robbery is a serious offence punishable by up to life in jail. Lai said police would spare no efforts to combat such quick cash crimes and urged the public to stay alert while walking alone in quiet areas at night.
Between January and October last year, police handled 64 reports of robberies across the city, down 39 per cent from 105 cases logged in the same period of 2021.