New Wave 'Pirates' meet their match
The Chairman of Islands District Fight Crime Committee, Mr Lam Wai-keung, recently gave praise for the patience and prompt reactions of officers who had taken part in an operation which resulted in the return of eight outboard engines and 10 fuel containers stolen from Peng Chau only the night before they were returned. Mr Lam was most impressed by the highly professional coordination of units involved in a chase, cordon and search operation and investigation. He thanked all those involved for their good partnership and dedication in protecting citizens' property. Several members of the community on Peng Chau and a number of Fishermen's groups also expressed their appreciation.
Sergeant Leung and his crew aboard PL45
Marine Regional Commander, Assistant Commissioner Mr Cheung Chi-shum, also praised the officers' efforts and Marine Port District
(MPDIST) Commander, Senior Superintendent Mr Kenneth Davey, sent an immediate letter of congratulations to the officers and promised that deserving officers would have these compliments entered in their service records.
Following an upsurge in thefts of speedboats, sampans and outboard engines from different locations in Marine South Division (MSDIV), a joint operation to curb such activities was mounted by MSDIV, the Small Boat Division (SBDIV), and Cheung Chau Division (CCDIV). After several nights of patient work by land-based observation posts, launch-based thermal imagers and ambushes, SBDIV Police Vessels 30 and 33 spotted a speedboat in the dark near Peng Chau. When challenged, said Senior Inspector, Mr Yip Kwong-choi, the speedboat, carrying two men, sped off with the Police vessels in close pursuit.
It was eventually beached at Kau Sat Wan on Lantau and the crew waded ashore and fled up into the hills near Tai Shui Hang close to the Trappist Monastery. The speedboat was secured and found to be carrying eight outboard motors and 10 containers of fuel.
Meanwhile, MSDIV Police Launches 61 and 83, commanded by SIPs Mr Tse Wing-cheong and Mr Roy Common, and Patrol Sub-Unit A (PSU Alpha), had been alerted to the chase, and quickly joined Police Vessels 33 and 37 at the scene. After a two-hour search it was decided to cordon off the area and seek reinforcements.
By dawn, officers from Marine, Police Tactical Unit Alpha 1, and the Police Dog Unit, led by Marine RCU Detective Chief Inspector, Mr Chris Richards, carried out a large-scale sweep of the rugged and densely overgrown hillside and coast. They were assisted in their efforts by helicopters from the Government Flying Service.
Around mid-day they arrested a suspect hiding in bushes near the pier at Tai Shui Hang. The second suspect was still at large when the search ended late that afternoon.
Marine RCU took up the investigation and, led by DSIP Mr Gary Poon Kong-ham, quickly identified all the property as having been stolen from Peng Chau during the previous night. All owners were quickly identified and located and their property returned to them that same day. The sampan had been stolen from Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter earlier this year and its theft is believed to be linked to the theft of at least eight other sampans in the area.
Just two weeks later, officers of MSDIST were in action again. This time, a member of the public disturbed four men attempting to steal from vessels at Middle Island on the south side of Hong Kong Island and made a report. The four fled in an unlit speedboat but were quickly spotted by the crew of Police Launch 31 responding to the call.
Field Commander, SIP Mr Man Kin-yuen on board Police Launch 73, then co-ordinated a 15 nautical-mile chase that finally enabled Sergeant Mr Leung Che-hung and the crew of PL45 to intercept the fleeing vessel near Shek Kwu Chau. Four males were arrested and some stolen property on board was secured. It was subsequently established that the speedboat had been stolen from Castle Peak several days earlier. One of the suspects is believed to have been the man who escaped the earlier cordon and sweep.
"Although kudos for this arrest went to Sgt Leung and his crew, the doggedness and professionalism of all officers involved in both cases stand as testimony to the resolve with which Marine Region officers police the waters of Hong Kong," said Marine Regional Commander Mr Cheung Chi-shum.
