Three workers charged with HK$90,000 jewelry theft from fire-hit Tai Po estate

Three construction workers face charges for allegedly stealing approximately HK$90,000 in jewelry from a flat in the fire-ravaged Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, Hong Kong. The defendants, Yu Yeung-chan, Cheung Pok-hoi, and Wong Wai-sing, appeared in Fanling Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

They are accused of stealing various gold and diamond jewelry items from a resident identified only as X on March 5. The theft occurred while the workers were on-site for reinforcement operations following a fire that ripped through the estate in November, killing 168 people and displacing thousands.

Local media reported that police arrested the three men on March 5 after finding the stolen items on them. An assistant commander of the Tai Po district described the act as "despicable," especially given the circumstances of the fire. The case has been adjourned to July 27 for legal advice, and the defendants were remanded in custody. A conviction for theft carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in jail.

Following the arrests, police enhanced security measures at the Tai Po estate. Residents were only allowed to return to collect belongings in April, and by the end of May, 142 reports of lost property had been filed. Security chief Chris Tang noted that while some missing items have been recovered, theft cannot be ruled out in 16 cases.

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Many people lost their homes and their loved ones in the Wang Fuk Court fire. The three workers committed a crime when they entered the flat for work. What they did was despicable.