On December 17, District 4 Police, Ho Chi Minh City, were still expanding their investigation into a pawnshop located in the area that contained a large number of motorbikes with signs of engine and frame numbers being tampered with and that were evidence in other cases.

Initially, the police initiated a case, prosecuted the accused and executed an arrest warrant for 6 subjects for the crimes of "Robbery" and "Receiving property obtained by others through crime".

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Two subjects Nguyen Huu Nghia and Nguyen Xuan Truong reenacted the scene of the car robbery. Photo: Police

Previously, on the evening of December 9, Mr. H. (a motorbike taxi driver) went to the police station of Ward 18, District 4 to report that he had just been attacked in the face with chili powder by two people to rob him on Truong Dinh Hoi Street.

Upon receiving the information, District 4 Police coordinated with the Criminal Police Department - Ho Chi Minh City Police to quickly investigate and pursue. Using professional measures, the police narrowed down the two suspects, Nguyen Huu Nghia (23 years old, residing in District 4) and Nguyen Xuan Truong (18 years old, from Quang Nam, both homeless).

Less than 24 hours after committing the crime, Nghia and Truong were arrested by the reconnaissance force.

The two suspects confessed that they asked Mr. H. to take them to a deserted place on Truong Dinh Hoi Street, then used prepared chili powder to rub on his face and eyes before stealing his motorbike and escaping. The two suspects took the stolen motorbike to the Nhuan Phat pawn shop (348 Tung Thien Vuong Street, Ward 13, District 8).

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The 4 subjects are employees of Nhuan Phat pawn shop. Photo: CA

Both also confessed that they had previously committed another robbery in Thu Duc City and also brought the stolen vehicle to pawn at Nhuan Phat pawn shop.

The police force deployed an emergency search of the above pawnshop and seized 2 motorbikes stolen by Nghia and Truong in the 2 cases as mentioned.

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Nearly 200 stolen vehicles were seized. Photo: CA
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And vehicle documents. Photo: CA

Because the Nhuan Phat pawn shop showed signs of illegal business practices, the police force focused on expanding the investigation. The police invited four employees of the Nhuan Phat pawn shop to work, including: Kieu Manh Dung, Nguyen Phi Hung (both 26 years old); Vo Duy Anh Tuan (18 years old), Vu Hoang Khoa (17 years old).

Based on the statements of the four suspects, the police searched three vehicle storage yards in District 8 and Binh Chanh District, seizing 192 motorbikes of various types, one electric bicycle from the Nhuan Phat pawn shop, and a number of other related objects and assets.

Police units conducted an examination of 193 seized vehicles. The results showed that many vehicles had signs of engine and chassis numbers being tampered with and were evidence in other cases.

The police are tracing the origin of the vehicles and request that anyone who is the owner or victim of the above subjects contact the District 4 Police Department to report and assist in the investigation of the case.