Two postgraduate students, burdened by massive debts from online gambling during their university years, have been identified as the masterminds behind the largest gold theft case in China's history, according to police.

The Nanjing Public Security Bureau held a special press conference on the morning of June 12 to announce the successful resolution of the major "May 16" gold theft case in the Jiangning district, detailing the investigation and returning the stolen property.

Police reported that all 27 kilograms of stolen gold, valued at over 27 million yuan, have been recovered, and all 11 suspects involved have been apprehended.

The case unfolded on the morning of May 16 when a luxury store in Nanjing reported the theft of nearly 27 kilograms of gold. Investigators found the store's counters intact and keys in place, but 37 gold items were missing. Evidence of climbing was found on a second-floor windowsill.

Notably, nearly 80 surveillance cameras inside the store had been manually shut down the night before the theft, and all data was formatted. After recovering the surveillance footage, police discovered that multiple individuals had conducted reconnaissance at the scene on numerous occasions over the month preceding the crime.

Analysis led police to identify a suspect surnamed Wang as a prime suspect. Further investigation revealed that Wang had fled to Bangkok, Thailand, by plane on the afternoon of the theft day.

The task force quickly activated international police cooperation mechanisms. With coordination from senior Jiangsu provincial police officials, Thai authorities successfully arrested Wang in Bangkok on May 23 and extradited him back to Nanjing on May 29.

Searches of Wang's residence and other hiding places led to the recovery of 13.2 kilograms of gold.

As the primary suspects were captured, the investigation deepened, revealing a meticulously planned group crime. The principal suspect, Wang, was responsible for overall planning. Another suspect, surnamed Tong, carried out the actual theft, while a third, surnamed Zhang, arranged logistics and support.

"We screened 2,273 passing vehicles one by one and ultimately found that Tong got into a car near the ring expressway around 5 a.m. on May 16. He changed destinations multiple times during the journey and arrived in Nanning, Guangxi, around 9 p.m. on May 17," explained Han Ting, head of the criminal investigation brigade of the Jiangning Branch of the Nanjing Public Security Bureau, at the press conference.

The task force immediately deployed officers already on assignment in Guangxi. With the full cooperation of police in Nanning and Chongzuo and border management departments, Tong was apprehended in the early hours of May 18 just over 100 meters from the China-Vietnam border as he was about to illegally cross it. Approximately 8.75 kilograms of gold were seized on the spot.

On the evening of May 21, the task force arrested Zhang, who was preparing to flee, at Wenzhou Longwan International Airport. Through analysis of vast amounts of data, other individuals involved in handling the stolen goods were subsequently arrested in various locations.

The investigation found that Wang and Tong connected online. Wang devised the plan, which Tong executed. Both are postgraduate degree holders, with Wang described as an outstanding employee at his company. Their motivation stemmed from massive debts accrued through online gambling during their university years, leading them to take the extreme risk.

Following the press conference, a ceremony was held to return the stolen property to the victimized company, which presented the task force with a banner praising their swift and relentless efforts in recovering the gold.