HK Show Sticks to Tradition – Opens with Thefts…

Four thefts and nine arrests rang in the opening of the Hong Kong International Jewellery Show.

The first theft took place just a couple of hours after the show opened when two men, aged 30 and 37, stole a bag with jewelry but were luckily caught trying to leave the place.

The next attempts however didn’t end as well. A box with polished diamonds estimated at $61,000 and another worth $20,000 were stolen during the afternoon hours. Later that day a woman reported that over $40,000 in cash was stolen from her handbag.

However, heightened security wasn’t completely lost. Plain-clothes detectives detained seven South Americans suspected of planning a heist. The group, that included a person linked to a theft last year, is believed to be part of an international syndicate.

According to Hong Kong Island superintendent Chan Kin-hung a police investigation later revealed the nine used fake registration passes to gain entry to the center.

But there was also a show with 1,380 exhibitors and the opening day was packed.  Today (Wednesday) was slower, with some exhibitors finding some time to catch a short nap after the hard last days.