Ancestral Grave and Golden Pagoda Destruction Case Foreign Businessman Arrested

Since April this year in Hong Kong, ancestral urns have been vandalized continuously. Up to now, 214 ancestral urns and 6 idols in 3 temples have been vandalized. In the early hours of yesterday (4th), a foreign man involved in the case was arrested. He reported that he was a businessman engaged in the watch business. He was suspected of driving a car to destroy the ancestral tombs and statues. A roadside temple vandalized a statue, and the motive for the crime is being investigated.

Since April this year, the police have received reports that 18 cases have occurred in 15 suburban locations. A total of 214 ancestral tombs belonging to different surnames and 6 statues in 3 temples have been damaged.

(Photo by Zhu Yonglun)

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The 38-year-old foreign man involved in the case holds a Hong Kong ID card and lives in Kowloon. He claims to be a businessman engaged in the watch business. At the time of the crime, he drove his own car to commit the crime. There is no evidence that he has any accomplices. He is being detained for investigation and will be charged. Prosecuted for the crime of "criminal damage", the motive of the crime remains to be investigated, including his identity background and mental state. The police have temporarily ruled out that the case stems from individual disputes, targeting a specific surname, and theft.

Chief Inspector Xu Jiaying of the 2nd Team of the New Territories North Regional Serious Crime Unit explained the circumstances of the case. Since April this year, the police have received reports that 18 cases occurred in 15 suburban locations, with a total of 214 ancestral tombs and 3 temples belonging to different surnames6 Among them, most of the cases where the ancestral tombs and golden pagodas were destroyed were located in the rural areas of the New Territories, which were relatively remote and less populated, and some were located on hillsides. Thirteen cases occurred in the North District of the New Territories, including Ta Kwu Ling, Lok Ma Chau, Yuen Long, Tuen Mun, Tai Po, and Sai Kung and Lantau also had one similar case each.

In addition, the temples in the case are adjacent to the road and pedestrian roads. The statues of gods in one temple in Sha Tin, Kwai Chung, and Shau Kei Wan were damaged, and some were completely smashed. The family members of the ancestral graves and the person in charge of the temple did not lose any property after counting.

Chief Inspector Xu Jiaying (left) of Team 2 of the New Territories North Regional Crime Unit and Lu Wendi (right), Senior Inspector of Team 2A of the New Territories North Regional Crime Unit, explained the case.

(Photo by Zhu Yonglun)

Lu Wendi, Senior Inspector of Squad 2A of the New Territories North Regional Crime Squad, said that the police conducted in-depth investigations, including analyzing a large amount of data, collecting intelligence, and reviewing a large number of CCTV clips. The dates coincide, and it is initially believed to be related to the case.

Detectives from the Regional Crime Squad of New Territories North launched an arrest operation in Tsim Sha Tsui yesterday (4th) at around 2:00 a.m., and found the tools of the crime in the suspect's private car. At the same time, they seized a mobile phone and the suspect at the time of the incident After investigation, the detectives found that the suspect had driven to a roadside temple on Oi Man Street in Shau Kei Wan to destroy the statue at around midnight on the same day.

The police severely condemn acts of vandalism. In addition to being disrespectful to ancestors and citizens’ beliefs, they also violate the law. According to Section 60 of the Crimes Ordinance, Chapter 200 of the Laws of Hong Kong, destroying or damaging property is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Don't try your best. The police appeal to the public to call 3661 3363 if they have any information related to the case. If you witness the case, please call 999 immediately.

In addition, the Kam Tin Rural Committee stated on Facebook today that it received a notification from hikers last night that mountain tombs and golden pagodas in the burial area of ​​Shui Mei Village were destroyed by criminals. The villagers conducted inspections this morning and found more than ten golden pagodas And the mountain tomb was vandalized, notify the family members to report to the police immediately, the meeting will sternly warn the saboteurs, severely condemn the vandals, and believe that the criminals will be caught and punished.