Authorities in Nanjing have successfully solved a major gold theft case and recovered all stolen property.

Recently, a significant gold theft occurred at a store in the Jiangning District of Nanjing, where 27 kilograms of gold were stolen, with an estimated value exceeding 27 million yuan.

At a press conference held by the Nanjing Municipal Public Security Bureau regarding the "Cracking of the Jiangning '5.16' Major Gold Theft Case," it was revealed that a special task force pursued leads across eight provinces.

Leveraging the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation mechanism, they collaborated with Thai police for a cross-border arrest operation, successfully apprehending all 11 suspects and recovering the entire 27 kilograms of gold.

Through data analysis and comprehensive investigation, Nanjing police quickly identified the perpetrator, a suspect surnamed Tong, and tracked his movements.

After the crime, Tong disappeared near a remote village in Jiangning District, leading investigators to believe he likely fled via the expressway.

The Jiangning Branch of the Nanjing Municipal Public Security Bureau swiftly initiated checks on passing vehicles and eventually found his trail.

"We conducted a one-by-one check of 2,273 passing vehicles and finally discovered that Tong hitched a ride near the ring expressway around 5 a.m. on May 16," said Han Ting, head of the criminal investigation brigade of the Jiangning Branch.

"He changed destinations multiple times during the journey and arrived in Nanning, Guangxi, around 9 p.m. on May 17."

Nanjing police immediately coordinated with officers already on assignment in Guangxi.

With the full cooperation of police in Nanning and Chongzuo, as well as border management departments, they captured Tong at a location just over 100 meters from the China-Vietnam border in the early hours of May 18, as he was attempting to illegally cross the border.

They seized 8.75 kilograms of gold on the spot.

During the investigation, the task force's meticulous technical examination and electronic data analysis revealed that multiple individuals had entered the crime scene to scout it out on numerous occasions over a month before the theft.

After assessment, a suspect surnamed Wang was identified as a prime suspect.

Further investigation found that Wang had fled to Bangkok, Thailand, by plane on the afternoon of the theft.

The task force quickly activated international police cooperation mechanisms.

With strong 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 several other hiding places led to the recovery of 13.2 kilograms of gold.

The task force's deeper investigation revealed this was a meticulously planned gang crime.

The principal suspect, surnamed Wang, was responsible for overall planning, while Tong carried out the theft.

Another suspect, surnamed Zhang, was in charge of arranging the getaway.

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

Through analysis of massive data sets, they subsequently apprehended several individuals involved in handling the stolen goods in multiple locations.

A ceremony was held to return the stolen property to the victimized business.

The company presented a banner to the task force expressing gratitude for their swift action and relentless pursuit to recover the stolen gold.