On September 8, the Quang Tri Provincial Police announced the arrest of 54-year-old Huang Shaoning, a Chinese national from Guangxi province, for a series of thefts targeting residential and commercial properties.

Initial investigations revealed that Huang and his accomplice, also from Guangxi, illegally entered Vietnam via a trail near the Huu Nghi International Border Gate in Lang Son province.

After crossing the border, the pair traveled to Quang Tri on a motorbike purchased in Lang Son. Taking advantage of weekends and late nights when security was minimal, they targeted vulnerable locations such as homes, government facilities, and business premises, breaking into safes to steal money and valuables.

From March to August 2025, the duo committed four separate burglaries with a total haul nearing $78,000.

At the police station, Huang confessed to all his crimes. He stated that after illegally entering Vietnam, he wandered around looking for easy targets to break into and steal from.

Major Hoang Trung Thanh, from the Criminal Police Division of Quang Tri Police, said that foreign suspects often enter Vietnam through unofficial border crossings. They then head to industrial zones, companies, and places with large compounds and minimal security to scout for opportunities.

Once inside, the criminals use tools such as metal bars to pry open safes, steal cash and assets, and then flee back to their home country. After spending the stolen money, they return to Vietnam and repeat the cycle.

Quang Tri Police's Criminal Police Division is currently expanding its investigation into other thefts involving similar break-in and safebreaking methods in the province and nearby areas.

Authorities are also working to verify the identity and locate Huang’s accomplice, identified as Huang Shaoxiong.

Hai Sam