Three Arrested In Hong Kong After $650 Million Art Heist

Posted by: Kyeyune Andrew Jonathan in world news October 8, 2020

Three men were arrested recently in Hong Kong in relation to an alleged $650 million art heist, a calligraphy written by Mao Zedong.

According to police, the burglars cut the art piece in half saying that its length did not suit displaying. The art piece measured 2.8 meters (9 feet) and is reported to be written by China’s former communist leader Mao Zedong.

Other stolen items include six smaller calligraphy pieces also purportedly written by Mao. They also stole a collection of bronze coins and more than 24,000 old stamps.

“Someone thought that the calligraphy was too long. It was about 2.8 meters which would be difficult to display. The thieves then cut it in half,’’ senior inspector of police Tony Ho said.

He said the owner of the items estimated their worth at about 5 billion Hong Kong dollars ($645). The police are, however, still working to estimate the exact value and have contacted relevant groups in Hong Kong and China.

The burglary happened at an apartment in the Yau Ma Tei neighborhood on the night of September 10th. It involved three men who left the scene in a taxi according to Ho. On September 22, police arrested a 49-year-old man suspected to possess the stolen items but police say he had no involvement in the burglary.

Police found some of the stolen Items, two bronze coins, and calligraphy purportedly written by Mao in the man’s apartment. The police released the 49-year-old on bail.

The case remains under investigation and police have been studying CCTV footage to identify the suspects. 8 more bronze coins are still missing, 6 more calligraphy pieces, and all 24,327 stamps.

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