A mainland Chinese man was arrested on an HK Express flight upon arrival in Hong Kong, suspected of stealing valuables, including a Rolex watch worth HK$330,000 (US$42,321), from a fellow passenger. The 57-year-old suspect, surnamed Chen, allegedly took HK$5,000, US$200, €20, and one million Vietnamese dong, in addition to the Rolex, from a 39-year-old passenger surnamed Yip.
The victim had stored his valuables in an overhead compartment, only to discover them missing after landing. Airport police were notified, and as passengers boarded a bus on the tarmac, authorities detained Chen with the help of witness accounts. The stolen items, hidden under a mat on the luggage rack, were soon recovered.
One passenger recounted the tense situation on social media, describing how all passengers were held on the bus for an hour as police arrived. HK Express later confirmed the incident, reminding travelers to secure valuables and report suspicious behavior to cabin crew.
In a similar case in March, a passenger was arrested in Singapore for stealing US$82,217 on a flight from Hong Kong.