A major gold theft case has been solved in China, with authorities recovering all stolen items and apprehending the entire criminal gang involved.

On the morning of June 12th, Nanjing Public Security Bureau held a special press conference to announce the successful resolution of the "5.16" major gold theft case in Jiangning District, providing details on the investigation and the return of seized property.

A massive theft recently occurred in Jiangning District, Nanjing, where 27 kilograms of gold were stolen from a store, with the total value involved exceeding 27 million yuan. Following the incident, public security organs at the provincial, municipal, and district levels quickly mobilized, forming a special task force. Senior leadership at the provincial and municipal levels provided overall command and direct coordination.

The task force pursued leads across eight provinces, utilized the Lancang-Mekong cooperation mechanism for cross-border apprehension, and successfully captured all 11 suspects, recovering the entire 27 kilograms of gold. This case represents the largest gold theft by value solved in the country to date.

"This was a meticulously organized criminal gang with clear division of labor and thorough premeditation. Over more than half a month of continuous effort, all participating officers worked tirelessly day and night, meticulously analyzing various leads, integrating intelligence, and ultimately solved the case by relying on national cross-regional police cooperation mechanisms and international law enforcement collaboration. From the outset of the investigation, the task force pursued solving the case and recovering stolen property simultaneously, integrating the crackdown with efforts to mitigate losses, with the core objective of maximizing the recovery of property for the victims," explained Li Dahai, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Executive Deputy Director of Nanjing Public Security Bureau.

After the crime, the task force quickly identified a suspicious male suspect through data analysis and comprehensive assessment, confirming him as the perpetrator, Tong. Tracking and analysis indicated that Tong disappeared near a remote village in Jiangning District after the theft. The task force concluded he was highly likely attempting to flee via the highway system.

"We conducted a vehicle-by-vehicle check of 2,273 passing cars and ultimately found that Tong hitched a ride near the ring expressway around 5:00 AM on May 16th. He changed destinations multiple times during the journey, arriving in Nanning, Guangxi, around 9:00 PM on the 17th," said Han Ting, Captain of the Criminal Investigation Brigade of the Jiangning Branch of Nanjing Public Security Bureau. The task force quickly dispatched officers already on assignment in Guangxi. With the full cooperation of police in Nanning, Chongzuo, and border management departments, they apprehended Tong at around midnight on the 18th, just over 100 meters from the China-Vietnam border as he was about to illegally cross. They recovered 8.75 kilograms of gold on the spot.

During the investigation, meticulous technical examination and electronic data analysis revealed that multiple individuals had entered the crime scene to scout it on several occasions over a month before the theft. Assessment identified a suspect surnamed Wang as having major involvement. Further investigation found that Wang had fled to Bangkok, Thailand, by plane on the afternoon of the theft day.

The task force promptly activated international police cooperation mechanisms. Through vigorous coordination by senior provincial public security leadership, Thai police successfully captured Wang in Bangkok on May 23rd and extradited him back to Nanjing on May 29th. Searches of Wang's residence and several other hiding spots led to the recovery of 13.2 kilograms of gold.

As the main suspects were apprehended, the task force delved deeper, uncovering that this was a meticulously planned gang operation. The principal offender, Wang, was in overall command, Tong carried out the theft, and another suspect, Zhang, was responsible for arranging reception and getaway. On the evening of May 21st, the task force captured Zhang, who was preparing to flee, at Wenzhou Longwan International Airport. Through analysis of vast amounts of data, they subsequently apprehended individuals involved in handling the stolen goods in multiple locations.

Following the press conference, a ceremony was held to return the stolen property. The victimized business presented a banner to the task force praising their "swift action, pursuing suspects across thousands of miles to capture the thieves; recovering losses for the people, retrieving every gram of the genuine gold."

"Combating crime and safeguarding peace are enduring duties of public security organs. 'Swift detection and resolution, pursuit of all stolen goods, and capture of all fugitives' is not only a determination to eradicate evil but also our most solemn commitment to the people's expectations. Moving forward, we will take this as a new starting point, keeping our swords held high and striking with heavy fists. No matter where suspects flee or where stolen goods flow, we will pursue them relentlessly without leniency, using concrete actions to combat crime and protect the safety and well-being of the people," stated Li Ying, Director of the Organization and Publicity Department of Nanjing Public Security Bureau and host of the press conference.