Police have arrested five men suspected of stealing and reselling dozens of bags of rice over the past few weeks.
Two of the men men allegedly stole 12 bags of rice from a supermarket in Quarry Bay on Tuesday night, before going to a grocery store in Sham Shui Po where it is understood the rice was to be sold, Apple Daily reported.
Later, three men working at the Sham Shui Po store, as well as a shop in Yau Ma Tei, were also arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods, police confirmed. All five are of South Asian descent.
According to Apple Daily, the two suspected of stealing the rice hold recognizance papers, which are identity documents typically issued to asylum seekers in the city.
Authorities have recorded a number of rice-related burglary cases in the Eastern and Yau Tsim Mong districts since the month began, totalling 37 bags of rice worth a total of HK$4,000 (US$515), police confirmed.
Read more: 3 robbers steal 600 toilet rolls from Hong Kong delivery worker at knifepoint
CCTV footage obtained by the police suggests that the men targeted supermarket chains and slipped away with the bags of rice when workers were not paying attention, Apple Daily reported.
The men are believed to have sold the rice to shop owners at 20% off the retail price.
