Our staff reporter Zhou Xin and our correspondent Huang Yan reports: Learned stealing techniques from TV, they came to Beijing and committed crimes in pairs. They specialized in stealing branded cigarettes using the "switcheroo" tactic. In two months, they stole over 14,000 yuan worth of goods from various hotels and restaurants across the city. Yesterday, we learned from the Xicheng District Procuratorate that Pi and Zhao were sentenced to four years in prison for theft.
In June 2011, while watching TV at home, Pi and Zhao unintentionally saw someone using the "switcheroo" tactic to steal from hotels. Inspired by this, they decided to use the same method to make money in Beijing.
After arriving in Beijing, Pi and Zhao introduced themselves as managers and hired an unlicensed taxi to begin their cons in major hotels. Typically, they would drive around looking for targets. Once they selected a hotel, both Pi and Zhao would enter its merchandise section together. If the attendant was a young woman in her twenties, they would start their act. "Give me four cartons of soft Zhonghua cigarettes!" At the same time, Pi would also request some high-quality tea. When the attendant brought the items, Pi would ask for a box to wrap them up, claiming he didn't want people to see the gifts. Meanwhile, Zhao would ask the attendant to write a detailed receipt. While the attendant was busy writing, Pi would quickly hide the cigarettes under his clothes and immediately seal the box with tape. Then, Zhao would leave, pretending to check out other areas, while Pi would exit under the pretense of calling a cab. Eventually, both were caught by the police.
It was reported that between June and July, Pi and Zhao stole cigarettes worth over 14,000 yuan using the same method. Currently, both have been sentenced to four years in prison for theft and fined 4,000 yuan each. A man died in a car accident while driving drunk on his way home, and those who drank with him were sentenced to pay 100,000 yuan in compensation.
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