Man held after ethnic minority residents of estate targeted
Police have arrested a 23-year-old man in connection with a spate of vandalism and nuisance-related activities targeting ethnic minority residents from dozens of households at a public estate.
Superintendent Alan Chung, a Kwai Chung divisional commander, said yesterday that an investigation showed the victims at On Yam Estate were the target of an escalating trend of illegal acts over recent weeks.
The suspect allegedly left human waste and other rubbish outside the flats of his victims and hurled water-filled bags from above at children playing on the estate’s playgrounds.
“This month, the water supply to more than 10 ethnic minority families was disconnected,” Chung said.
The superintendent said the investigation showed water switches at the rear staircase on various floors in the estate’s three buildings were turned off after padlocks on their cases were broken open and replaced.
Police responded to the spate of incidents by stepping up patrols at the estate and deploying plainclothes officers to conduct surveillance.
Officers arrested the suspect at around 10pm on Friday after spotting two water-filled bags being hurled from atop the estate’s Hong Yam House at two children playing on a volleyball court.
He was detained on suspicion of criminal damage, theft and throwing objects from a height.
Chung said the investigation suggested the man had acted alone. “We believe the suspect allegedly carried out the illegal acts in the estate due to his personal hatred against ethnic minority residents,” he said.
The Post learned that the man was previously jailed for several months after attacking an ethnic minority resident with a catapult two years ago.
The suspect was still being held for questioning as of yesterday morning.
Chung said police would keep up high-profile patrols at the estate to ensure the safety and security of residents. The force would also make efforts to engage with ethnic minority residents to provide them reassurance and address any security concerns.