A man from mainland China was arrested on Saturday after allegedly trying to steal money from a Hong Kong church donation box with a shoelace and sticky tape.
The 25-year-old, surnamed Qin, was apprehended by a member of staff at the 166-year-old St. John’s Cathedral on Garden Road, Central, after he was reportedly spotted lowering a shoe string with sticky tape on the end into the donation box.
He is then said to have pulled the string and the money through a hole in his backpack while being screened by two accomplices, also thought to be from the mainland.
The hero church member subdued Qin, who is in Hong Kong on a two-way permit, while his ungodly helpers escaped.
After Qin’s arrest, police found HKD470 in his backpack that they say may have been lifted from the box.
According to Apple Daily, the church member said a similar attempt involving another gang of three was spotted in July, but all the would-be thieves got away.
Police believe that a sign outside the church, which claims daily running costs amount to HKD89,000, may be attracting thieves who think the donation coffers are full to bursting.
Even so, we dare say it would take a while to pick out a decent amount with a shoelace. Back to the Criminals’ School of Arts and Crafts for these guys.
Photo: yosoynuts via Flickr
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