Ho Chi Minh City police bust armed cat-theft ring, recover stolen pets

Authorities in Dong Thanh Commune said on Sunday they uncovered the group after monitoring suspicious night-time activities.

Officers reported that the thieves traveled by motorbike carrying tools such as electric stun guns, spears, traps, ropes, and bait to catch cats from local households.

Following an investigation, police raided a house at 361/61/23, Hamlet 42, Dong Thanh Commune, where six young men were found with stolen cats and equipment.

The suspects included Do Trung Phat, 21; Do Quoc Binh, 20; Do Nguyen Anh Quan, 21; Nguyen Thanh Dat, 20; Nguyen Chanh Tin, 22; and Trinh Quoc Huy, 20.

Officers also seized pepper spray canisters, which the group admitted they used to fight back if confronted.

Phat confessed that the gang gathered at his home in the evenings to prepare traps, often frying fish to use as bait.

Around midnight, they split into pairs to hunt cats.

He said he typically caught four to five cats a night, selling them to Mai Quy Nhan for about VND90,000 (US$3.5) per kilogram, earning roughly VND400,000 ($16) per theft trip.

Police later summoned additional suspects, including Nguyen Gia Khanh, 20; Huynh Van Sang, 31; and Nhan, 68, who allegedly purchased the stolen cats.

Investigators determined that Nhan coordinated with Khanh and Tin to order cats, while others carried out the thefts in Dong Thanh and nearby Binh My Commune.

After weighing and bagging the cats, the thieves sold them to Nhan for cash.

Authorities posted photos of the recovered animals online, enabling 10 residents to reclaim their pets.

Senior investigator Le Duc Tuy, police chief in Dong Thanh, confirmed that charges have been filed and the suspects placed in temporary detention.

Police are still searching for Bui Van Duong, 20, who remains at large.

Officials urged Duong to surrender to receive leniency under the law.