Police Fire At Stolen Car After Chase

Four men, the youngest just 16 years of age, were arrested on Friday, following a car chase during which police fired a live round.

The police suspect that they stole a private car, that was being driven by a self-employed driver.

The driver was taking the four to Lau Fau Shan, near the border with the mainland, after accepting their order on an online hailing platform.

Police said one of the suspects claimed to be unwell and got out of the car to vomit, when they arrived at their destination.

They say the driver then got out to check how he was doing, only to be surrounded and threatened by the other three suspects, who were said to be carrying knives.

The four are then said to have made off in the vehicle with around HK$1,000 of the driver's cash. The driver then called the police.

Shortly afterwards, a police motorcyclist spotted the car on Fanling Highway near Hong Lok Yuen and signalled it to stop. But the robbers are then said to have reversed the car, knocking down his motorcycle.

They then drove along Fanling Highway towards Tai Po, smashing into two vans.

Later, as the car was passing through Tai Po, another officer tried to stop it. But the police said the driver ignored a warning to stop and drove at the officer at high speed.

Police said the officer then fired a single shot at the vehicle, hitting its bodywork.

It said four people, aged 16-27, were later detained near Tai Wo Estate, on suspicion of robbery. Among them, an 18-year-old man was also suspected of dangerous driving.

______________________________