Hong Kong luxury heist suspect nabbed in Thailand after stealing 11 Hermes bags, Van Cleef necklace

The robbery took place on June 18 at a high-end boutique in Tsim Sha Tsui, one of Hong Kong’s busiest and most upscale shopping districts.

Police say the suspect, disguised with a black hat, glasses, and a face mask, entered the store just after it opened at 9:30 a.m., expressing interest in a white Hermes handbag, the Bangkok Post reported.

After briefly leaving under the pretense of withdrawing cash, the man returned around noon, purchased the bag and requested to browse more items. But as the lone shop assistant, a 42-year-old woman, showed him additional merchandise, the situation took a violent turn. The suspect reportedly attacked her, covering her face with a towel and rendering her unconscious, SCMP reported.

When the victim eventually regained consciousness, she found herself bound inside the shop. She managed to free herself with a cutter and flagged down help from a passerby.

According to police, the thief escaped with 11 pre-owned Hermes bags valued at approximately HK$2 million (US$255,000), along with a Van Cleef & Arpels gold necklace worth about HK$1 million ($127,000).

Hong Kong authorities launched an immediate investigation, which quickly tracked the suspect's escape route. He fled to Thailand, where local police arrested him and he was set to fly back to Hong Kong on June 19.