Harry Watts and his friend, both from the United Kingdom, had a bag full of valuables stolen at Beijing Railway Station last week. The Beijing police were able to solve the crime and retrieve the stolen goods in less than an hour.
The two had just returned to Beijing by train and grabbed breakfast at the McDonald's at Beijing Railway Station. They stuck their backpack under their chair while they ate. When they got up to leave they realize that the backpack was gone. The bag had held a few valuable items including digital camera and a laptop, altogether worth 20,000 Yuan. There were also sentimental personal items in the bag, gifts from friends and relatives.
Officer Wang Wensheng said that police looked through surveillance video at the McDonald's and noticed a man in camouflage with a bad leg sitting near the two foreigners. Watts had his back towards the man, and his friend did not have a clear view of him. The man picked up the backpack and placed it down next to him. When the foreigners did not notice, he limped out of the restaurant with the bag.
Police spotted the man walking away from the station on another surveillance video. They realized that he was not a thief, and seemed more like a tramp. The police offers found the man in a noodle shop with a different bag next to him, filled with the stolen goods. The clerk of the shop said that the man lived nearby and often came into the shop.
The 55 year old man, Mr. Fan, has been arrested four other times by Beijing police for taking bags from passengers not paying attention. He had thrown out the original backpack and put the stolen goods in a bag that he had owned.
Police arrested the man only 50 minutes after the bag was stolen. Officer Wang said that this was because the security cameras were able to capture the man's face clearly, and he did not go far from the station.
Source: inews.qq.com
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Keywords: Beijing police Beijing Railway Station Beijing stolen bag
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This is plain irresponsibility on the tourist's part. You really need to be on guard at all times, especially in mass transit hubs where its easy to imagine thieves are waiting to target unsuspecting travelers and part them with their expensive belongings. Robbed by a limping old man? That just says it all. 20k RMB in a backpack, and you slide it under your chair while you're chowing down? Doesn't sound like the best idea.
Jun 13, 2015 17:45 Report Abuse
The whole story is very unsurprising really. The police found the robber because they most likely already knew who he was and could see the security tape to back this up. Not the greatest accomplishment but good for the guys to get their stuff back anyway.
Jun 11, 2015 20:56 Report Abuse
Not the greatest accomplishment? A cop that's not sleeping in China is already a great accomplishment.
Jun 13, 2015 09:52 Report Abuse
How stupid are these people. If you travel keep your belongings in eyesight. Especially in a country full of sneaky short people.
Jun 11, 2015 12:41 Report Abuse
Hey, give the tramp a break! He read the sign that said "Have it your way". So he did. Cant say he isnt an ambitious homeless bum...
Jun 11, 2015 09:55 Report Abuse
It's a sad day when British folks get robbed, and forced to eat at Micky Dees!
Jun 10, 2015 23:09 Report Abuse
He's been arrested previously for theft and is still on the streets? At least 2-5 years for repeated offenses in prison.
Jun 10, 2015 22:14 Report Abuse
Nothing like a maccas breakfast and a robbery to start the day.
Jun 10, 2015 21:20 Report Abuse
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