The arrestees, aged between 31 and 45, include a married couple holding two way permits, a local man who acted as a driver, and three men who had entered Hong Kong illegally.
The single largest loss reported was at a unit in Aberdeen, where about HK$600,000 worth of property was stolen, including cash, jewelries, watches and handbags.
Acting Chief Inspector Ng See-hin of the New Territories North Regional Crime Unit said that the syndicate, which launched operations in late August, is connected to 25 burglaries targeting village and standalone houses across Yuen Long, Tuen Mun, Tai Po, Sai Kung, Ma On Shan, and Aberdeen.
He said the suspects targeted remote properties close to hillsides with lax security or entered through unsecured doors and windows to steal valuable personal belongings and cash.
“Most of these cases occur when residents are out dining or travelling, and some residents also forget to lock their doors and windows,” Ng said.
“Thieves usually go for the easy targets, so if people don’t remember to lock the doors and windows, the burglars will take the opportunity.”
He urged the general public to lock all doors and windows before leaving home and consider installing anti-theft systems or CCTV.
