2 suspects arrested after attack on Hong Kong man in which Patek Philippe watch worth HK$800,000 was stolen

Hong Kong police have arrested two men on suspicion of street robbery after a businessman was punched, kicked and robbed of a Patek Philippe watch worth HK$800,000 (US$102,411) by four people outside a shopping mall in the New Territories.

Senior Inspector Cheung Man-tik of the Tsuen Wan District Criminal Investigation Department said on Tuesday that the 30-year-old victim was attacked outside Lik Sang Plaza on Wun Tung Street in Tsuen Wan at around 8 p.m. on June 28.

He added that the four robbers stole the victim’s luxury watch, a handbag and a mobile phone, as well as HK$3,000 in cash, and fled in a getaway car driven by a fifth man.

According to police, the total value of the stolen items was HK$809,000.

The businessman suffered minor injuries but did not require hospital treatment, according to police.

Police arrested the two men, aged 27 and 28, on Sunday after reviewing surveillance footage and identifying the suspects. Police also seized a car used in the robbery.

“Initial investigations revealed that the arrested men planned the robbery after an argument with the victim over money,” Cheung said.

He added that further arrests could not be ruled out as investigations were still ongoing.

A source familiar with the case said the watch has not been found and police are still looking for at least three other men in connection with the case.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the two suspects were still being held for questioning.

The senior inspector said police would spare no effort to bring all suspects to justice and warned that robbery could result in up to life imprisonment.

In the first five months of this year, police processed 36 reports of robberies citywide, 28 percent fewer than the 50 cases recorded in the same period in 2023.