Hong Kong artwork heist: A few arrested in relation to $650 million burglary that involved calligraphy by Mao

Created by By Eric CheungEmma Reynolds, CNN

3 men have been arrested in relationship with an alleged $645 million Hong Kong artwork heist that incorporated calligraphy reportedly composed by Mao Zedong.

A 2.8-meter (9-foot) piece of calligraphy mentioned to be the development of China’s previous Communist leader was minimize in half by the burglars for the reason that they assumed it was much too very long to be shown, according to Hong Kong law enforcement.

The stolen items integrated six smaller calligraphy pieces also purportedly composed by Mao, a assortment of 10 bronze cash and additional than 24,000 outdated stamps, Senior Inspector of Hong Kong law enforcement Tony Ho informed a Wednesday information convention.

More than 24,000 old stamps were stolen from a Hong Kong apartment during the burglary.

Far more than 24,000 outdated stamps ended up stolen from a Hong Kong condominium through the burglary. Credit score: Hong Kong Law enforcement

“Somebody thought that the calligraphy was much too extended. It was about 2.8 meters so it would be tough to display, so they slash it in half,” Ho claimed.

He stated the owner had estimated that the items have been worthy of 5 billion Hong Kong dollars ($645 million), but police were being still doing the job to ensure the actual price and have contacted pertinent groups in Hong Kong and China.

The theft took position at an condominium in Yau Ma Tei community on the night time of September 10 and included a few guys, who still left the scene in a taxi, in accordance to Ho.

The items included 10 bronze coins, 24,327 old stamps, and seven calligraphy pieces reported to have been written by Mao.

The things bundled 10 bronze coins, 24,327 outdated stamps, and 7 calligraphy pieces reported to have been prepared by Mao. Credit score: Hong Kong Police

On September 22, the Arranged Crime and Triad Bureau arrested a 49-12 months-previous male with the past name Lam at an condominium in Wan Chai, on suspicion of dealing with stolen home. He is not believed to have taken section in the burglary.

Law enforcement discovered some of the stolen things — two bronze cash and a calligraphy purportedly published by Mao — in his condominium. Lam has since been produced on bail.

The triad bureau raided another condominium in Yau Ma Tei Tuesday and arrested two additional gentlemen. A 44-yr-outdated guy, past title Ng, was arrested for burglary, whilst a further gentleman aged 47 was arrested for assisting an offender by giving a hideout. Police did not uncover any things in this raid and the adult males are below investigation.

Two men have been arrested in relation to the burglary and one man for allegedly assisting an offender by providing a hideout.

Two gentlemen have been arrested in relation to the burglary and one particular gentleman for allegedly helping an offender by supplying a hideout. Credit history: Hong Kong Law enforcement

Officers consider that two burglars are nevertheless on the operate, claimed Ho.

The case continues to be underneath investigation and police have been learning CCTV to determine the suspects. They are still looking for 8 a lot more bronze cash, 6 additional calligraphy parts, and all 24,327 stamps.