A man hid a 14-year-old teenager in a large suitcase, attempting to steal from the bus luggage compartment but was discovered by a station attendant. Photo by Zheng Qiwen.
14-Year-Old Boy Concealed in Suitcase Exposed; Child Claims Intent to Steal from Luggage Compartment
Information Times report (Reporter Zhu Hong, Correspondents Luo Yuqiu and Liao Shengquan) - A child concealed inside a suitcase intended for theft on a bus luggage compartment was caught before boarding due to the vigilance of the station staff. This incident occurred at around 2 p.m. yesterday afternoon at the Guangzhou South Bus Station platform. The police stated that theft gangs typically pass empty suitcases through security checks, then proceed to hide children inside the suitcases in places like restrooms.
The Suitcase Hiding a Little Boy
At around 2 p.m. yesterday, on the platform of Guangzhou South Bus Station, a long-distance bus from Guangzhou to Luohu, Shenzhen, was preparing to depart. Attendant Xiao Zhang was busy helping passengers place large pieces of luggage into the luggage compartment. A man dressed in red placed one large and one small suitcase in front of the compartment. Xiao Zhang helped the man put the smaller suitcase into the compartment. When Xiao Zhang lifted the larger suitcase, she found it unusually heavy, while the previous smaller suitcase was light. Based on her usual security training, Xiao Zhang suspected there might be something wrong with the suitcase.
Xiao Zhang asked the man to "open it up for inspection," but the man in red refused, claiming that the suitcase contained local specialties, preventing Xiao Zhang from touching the large suitcase. After pressing on it, Xiao Zhang felt as if there was something alive inside. She notified the duty police officer and requested that the suitcase be inspected using the X-ray security scanner at the entrance.
At this point, the station police arrived, placing the man's large suitcase back onto the X-ray machine, revealing a boy of about ten years old curled up inside.
The Man Claims He Was "Helping Someone Bring It Onboard"
The large suitcase was made of canvas, with a boy of about ten years old curled inside, looking frightened and silent, tightly holding a mobile phone, wearing only a T-shirt and single pants, and white socks on his feet.
When questioned by reporters, the little boy suddenly burst into tears, stating that he was from Shaoguan, 14 years old, named Lin Guifan (phonetic translation). His parents had passed away, and two days ago, while playing outside, he was deceived by two strangers who promised to take him to Guangzhou to "watch the Asian Games" and tricked him into a private car. These two men instructed him to hide in the suitcase and steal things on the vehicle, promising to send him home after they stole items. "I didn't even know there was a person inside! Someone gave me 100 yuan to help bring it onboard!" the captured man in red argued.
The police officer involved in the case told reporters that these gang thieves often use excuses like "not knowing" or "helping others" when caught, which follows a pattern. According to the police, since the boy was only 14 years old and a minor, he was sent to a shelter last night.
How Did the Suitcase with a Person Pass Security?
Empty Suitcase First, Then Load the Person
How did the suitcase containing a person pass through the X-ray machine? Officers from the Panyu New Passenger Station Police Station explained that these thieves usually carry one large and one small suitcase, both empty. They first pass the empty suitcases through security checks, entering the waiting hall normally, then proceed to a corner or restroom where people are scarce to hide minors inside the suitcases. Afterwards, accomplices place the suitcases in the luggage compartment. During the journey, the thief hidden in the luggage compartment comes out to steal passenger belongings, with the small suitcase used to store stolen goods. Deputy Chief Guo Jianlin of the New Passenger Station Police Station reminded that during the Spring Festival, valuable items should be carried on your person.
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"Suitcase Thief" Sentenced to 1 Year in Jail
Information Times report (Reporter Yan Xiaoguang, Correspondent Yuejian Publicity) - Seeing that passengers returning from Guangzhou to Hong Kong were carrying a lot of luggage, assuming that outbound travelers were either rich or noble, Zeng Moujian hid a minor inside a suitcase to mix into the luggage compartment for theft. Recently, due to committing theft, Zeng Moujian was sentenced to one year and one month in prison by the Yuexiu District Court.
Defendant Zeng Moujian hid the slender minor Guan Mouhui (separately handled), who carried tools such as a flashlight and screwdriver, inside a huge suitcase, disguising himself as a passenger returning to Hong Kong, boarding a Hong Kong-licensed large bus traveling from Guangzhou to Shenzhen Bay. While the bus was moving, Zeng Moujian sent text messages instructing Guan Mouhui to steal unsecured luggage. Guan Mouhui stole two phones, one camera, and a 700ml bottle of liquor (worth RMB 3021 in total). Guan Mouhui then hid the stolen items and himself back inside the suitcase. Upon arrival at the Shenzhen Bay Border Inspection Station, Zeng Moujian took the suitcase to the restroom to release Guan Mouhui. As they prepared to escape, they were suspected by border inspection personnel, leading to an inspection of the box, resulting in their capture with the evidence.