Hong Kong police probe 58 million yen theft at currency exchange shop
Two men escape in vehicle after alleged robbery at shop near 272 Des Voeux Road Central in Sheung Wan
Hong Kong police are investigating an alleged robbery in which 58 million yen (US$376,600) was stolen outside a currency exchange shop in Sheung Wan.
The force said a passer-by reported the case at 9.47am on Friday, with initial investigations suggesting two men escaped with the cash, equivalent to HK$2.94 million, near 272 Des Voeux Road Central.
The pair, one believed to be in his twenties and the other in his teens, got into a private vehicle after taking the cash and fled the scene, police said. No injuries were reported.
A source said two employees of a Japanese money exchange company flew to Hong Kong at around 7.30am on Friday and made an appointment to exchange about 190 million yen at the shop.
The pair, aged 27 and 51, had two backpacks and a suitcase. When they arrived at the money exchange shop in a taxi, one of their backpacks, which contained 58 million yen, was snatched.
The case followed another similar robbery in the same district last month.