Hong Kong police have arrested a man and recovered uncut gemstones worth nearly HK$1 million (US$127,500) that were allegedly snatched from an overseas businessman as he slept in a hotel lobby.
The force said on Monday that the suspected theft happened a day earlier while the businessman, a 29-year-old jeweller from Sri Lanka, was in the city for the “Jewellery & Gem World Hong Kong September” trade fair.
The jewellery was allegedly taken from the victim as he slept in the lobby, while he was waiting to check in at a hotel near Hong Kong International Airport.
Police said the suspect allegedly exploited the situation to search the businessman’s backpack, which he had placed on his luggage, and removed a batch of uncut gemstones valued at nearly HK$1 million before fleeing.