Nanjing Municipal Public Security Bureau held a special press conference on the morning of June 12 to announce the successful investigation of a major gold theft case and to return the stolen property to its owner.

Recently, a significant gold theft occurred in Jiangning District, Nanjing, where 27 kilograms of gold, valued at over 27 million yuan, was stolen from a commercial store.

Following the incident, public security organs at the provincial, municipal, and district levels swiftly coordinated their efforts, establishing a special task force led by senior provincial officials and directly supervised by municipal leadership.

The task force pursued leads across eight provinces and, utilizing the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation mechanism for cross-border law enforcement, successfully apprehended all 11 suspects involved and recovered the entire 27 kilograms of stolen gold.

This case represents the highest-value gold theft ever solved in China to date.

Li Dahai, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Executive Deputy Director of the Nanjing Municipal Public Security Bureau, described the criminal group as highly organized, with clear division of labor and thorough premeditation.

He stated that over more than half a month of relentless investigation, officers worked day and night, meticulously analyzing clues and leveraging national cross-regional and international police cooperation mechanisms to crack the case.

From the outset, the task force's core objective was to solve the crime while simultaneously recovering the stolen assets, aiming to minimize the financial loss for the victims.

Initial Breakthrough and Apprehension

After the theft, the task force used data analysis to quickly identify a suspect, Tong, as the perpetrator.

Tracking indicated he had disappeared near a remote village in Jiangning District, leading investigators to believe he likely fled via highway.

Han Ting, head of the Criminal Investigation Brigade of the Nanjing Jiangning District Public Security Sub-Bureau, explained that after screening 2,273 vehicles, they found Tong had hitched a ride near the ring expressway around 5 a.m. on May 16.

He changed destinations multiple times during the journey, arriving in Nanning, Guangxi, by 9 p.m. on May 17.

The task force immediately directed officers already on assignment in Guangxi, who, with full cooperation from police in Nanning and Chongzuo and border management authorities, captured Tong just over 100 meters from the China-Vietnam border in the early hours of May 18 as he was about to illegally cross.

Approximately 8.75 kilograms of gold were seized from him at the scene.

International Cooperation and Full Recovery

During the investigation, detailed forensic and electronic data analysis revealed that several individuals had entered the store to case it on multiple occasions over a month before the theft.

This led investigators to identify a prime suspect, Wang.

Further inquiry revealed Wang had fled to Bangkok, Thailand, by plane on the afternoon of the theft day.

The task force activated international police cooperation channels.

With coordination from senior provincial public security officials, Thai police successfully arrested Wang in Bangkok on May 23 and extradited him back to Nanjing on May 29.

Subsequent searches of Wang's residence and other hiding places led to the recovery of an additional 13.2 kilograms of gold.

As key suspects were apprehended, the task force uncovered that the crime was a meticulously planned group operation.

The mastermind, Wang, was in overall command, Tong carried out the theft, and another suspect, Zhang, was responsible for arranging the getaway.

On the evening of May 21, the task force captured Zhang at Wenzhou Longwan International Airport as he prepared to flee.

Through analysis of extensive data, other individuals involved in handling the stolen goods were subsequently arrested in various locations.

Following the press conference, a ceremony was held to return the stolen property.

The affected business presented the task force with a banner praising their swift action and dedication to recovering the assets.

Li Ying, Director of the Organization and Publicity Department of the Nanjing Municipal Public Security Bureau and the press conference host, emphasized that combating crime and ensuring public safety are the enduring duties of the police.

She stated that the principles of rapid investigation, determined recovery of stolen goods, and relentless pursuit of fugitives represent both a firm resolve to eradicate crime and a solemn commitment to public expectations.

She added that this case serves as a new starting point, and the police will continue to act decisively, pursuing suspects and stolen property relentlessly to protect the safety and well-being of the people.