Police in Hai Phong have returned stone components stolen from the historic Dong Trang Bridge after recovering the artifacts in a swift investigation, allowing local authorities and residents to continue preserving the site's cultural and spiritual significance.

Speaking to VietNamNet on June 24, leaders of the Hai Phong Police Department said the recovered stone slabs had been handed back to Ai Quoc Ward for safekeeping.

Colonel Bui Trung Thanh, deputy director of the Hai Phong Police Department and head of its Investigation Police Agency, personally accompanied the investigative team to Ai Quoc Ward to return the recovered artifacts.

During the ceremony, Bui praised the officers involved for quickly solving the case.

The People's Committee of Ai Quoc Ward also presented certificates of merit to its crime prevention team and eight police officers in recognition of their outstanding work in investigating the theft.

Authorities said the investigation, arrests and recovery of the stolen artifacts were widely welcomed by local residents, who praised police for protecting cultural heritage that has long been closely associated with the community.

As previously reported, thieves stole structural stone components from four spans of the historic Dong Trang stone bridge, which crosses an irrigation canal in Hoang Xa 2 Residential Area, Ai Quoc Ward, during the night of June 15 and the early hours of June 16.

Following the report, Colonel Bui Trung Thanh directed the Criminal Police Division to work with Ai Quoc Ward Police and An Lao Commune Police to identify and apprehend those responsible.

Investigators identified Luong Dinh Quy and Le Van Chi, both born in 1991 and living in Khuc Gian Hamlet, An Lao Commune, as acquaintances. Police allege that Chi persuaded Quy to use a truck-mounted crane to steal the bridge's stone components and sell them for profit.

At around 12:10 a.m. on June 16, Quy drove the crane truck carrying Chi and another accomplice, Phu Van Sang, born in 1989 and also from Khuc Gian Hamlet.

At the bridge, Chi and Sang secured straps around the stone components while Quy used the crane to lift them onto the truck.

The group stole 12 stone bridge deck slabs and four natural stone crossbeams. Four of the slabs were broken during the theft.

The stolen components were later transported to Bac Ninh Province and sold to a buyer there.

Using investigative measures, police quickly arrested all three suspects and recovered every stolen stone slab.

Hoai Anh