Korean tourists jailed for breaking into Vietnam house to steal

Kim Chul, 59; Lee Hyo Sung, 51; and Kim Dong Wan, 65, were sentenced to 9 years, 8 years and 7 years and 6 months, respectively, for stealing, the Dong Nai People's Court said Tuesday.

On Nov. 3 last year, the three entered Vietnam as tourists and rented cars in HCMC to travel around. As they lacked money, they decided to break into homes to steal property.

They went and bought several tools, including hammers, saws and ladders. On Dec. 4 last year, Lee Hyo Sung drove a car with Kim Chul and Kim Dong Wan inside to a house in Bien Hoa City in order to steal.

They saw that the house's lights were out, so Kim Chul was stationed outside, while Lee Hyo Sung and Kim Dong Wan used ladders to gain access into the house. They later broke into a safe in a bedroom, stealing cash and jewelries worth over VND300 million ($11,818).

On the way back to HCMC, they tried to dispose of the evidence. However, they were later captured by the police of Dong Nai.