香港警方捣毁了一个招募非法入境者的入屋犯罪集团，据信该集团近几周在全市制造了至少25宗爆窃案，被盗现金及财物价值超过360万港元（约45.8773万美元）。
Hong Kong police have busted a burglary syndicate that recruited illegal immigrants and is believed to be behind at least 25 break-ins across the city in recent weeks, with stolen cash and valuables exceeding HK$3.6 million (US$458,773).
警方表示，在检视监控录像后，于周五采取行动拘捕了六名年龄介乎31至45岁的人士，其中包括五名内地男子及一名本地居民。
Six people aged 31 to 45 – five mainlanders and a local resident – were arrested in a Friday operation following a review of surveillance footage, police said.
三名内地男性嫌疑人为非法入境者。另两名内地嫌疑人为一对夫妇，被认为是主谋，他们持双程证（由北京当局签发供往来香港或澳门的旅行证件）入境。行动中被捕的一名本地男子在集团中充当司机角色。
Three of the mainland suspects, all men, were illegal immigrants. Another two – a couple – are believed to be the masterminds, who entered Hong Kong on two-way permits, travel documents issued by Beijing authorities for visits to the city or Macau. A local man arrested in the operation acted as the group’s driver.
新界北总区重案组代理高级督察吴思轩表示，该集团自8月下旬起活跃，涉嫌干犯至少25宗元朗、屯门、上水、大埔、西贡、马鞍山及香港仔村屋及高尚住宅爆窃案。
Acting chief inspector Ng See-hin, of the New Territories North Regional Crime Unit, said the syndicate had been active since late August, adding that it was allegedly linked to at least 25 burglaries at village houses and upscale homes in Yuen Long, Tuen Mun, Sheung Shui, Tai Po, Sai Kung, Ma On Shan and Aberdeen.
吴指该集团利用近期长假期及大型节日，趁许多居民外游或外出用膳时下手。
Ng said the group took advantage of recent long holidays and major festivals, when many residents were overseas or dining out.
他说：“他们分工明确，主谋安排内地男子非法入境，并招募司机接送他们往返目标地点及藏身处。”“他们主要以保安疏忽、环境幽静偏僻的屋宇为目标。趁屋主外出用膳或度假时，撬开门窗，或经未上锁的门窗入屋，窃取金饰、现金、名表及其他贵重财物。”
“They have a clear division of labour,” he said. “The masterminds arranged for the mainland men to enter Hong Kong illegally and recruited a driver to transport them between target areas and their hideout.”
总报损金额超过360万港元，单宗损失最重的案件发生在香港仔一处物业，损失约60万港元。
“They mainly target houses with lax security in quiet and secluded locations. They would pry open doors and windows while the owners were out dining or on holiday, or enter through unlocked doors and windows to steal gold jewellery, cash, watches and other valuables,” Ng added.
他补充指：“警方已检获部分失物，包括现金、首饰及手袋，总值约60万港元。”他强调警方相信已瓦解该犯罪集团。据吴警司透露，这六人周六下午仍被扣留问话。
The total reported loss exceeded HK$3.6 million, with the largest single loss of about HK$600,000 at a property in Aberdeen. “Some of the stolen property was recovered, including cash, jewellery and handbags. The total value is about HK$600,000,” he added, stressing that the force believed it had smashed the syndicate. The six were still being detained for questioning on Saturday afternoon, according to Ng.
吴警司同时呼吁业主保持警惕，采取简单防范措施，例如外出前锁好门窗。
Ng also urged flat owners to remain vigilant and take simple precautions, such as locking windows and doors before leaving home.
“大多数入屋盗窃案属机会型犯罪。窃贼会立即利用他们眼中防范松懈的漏洞，”吴警司说。“市民应避免在家中存放过多贵重物品或大量现金。”根据《盗窃罪条例》，香港入屋盗窃罪最高可判处14年监禁。文：吴景松
“Most burglaries are opportunistic in nature. Burglars take immediate advantage of what they perceive to be lax security,” Ng said. “The public should avoid keeping too many valuables or large amounts of cash at home.”Under the Theft Ordinance, the maximum penalty for burglary in Hong Kong is 14 years’ imprisonment. By Ng Kang-chung