Thief alleged to block remote car locks
By Zhao Wen |
February 16, 2012, Thursday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
A man charged with using a wireless transmitter to secretly block drivers from locking their cars and then stealing their belongings worth more than 63,000 yuan (US$10,000) stood trial yesterday for theft at the Xuhui District People's Court.
Prosecutors said Gao Qingwen, 41, had a micropower (short-distance) wireless transmitter whose frequency was the same as those of civil-use wireless control devices, including keys to some cars.
The suspect targeted drivers who left their belongings in the car and activated the transmitter to interfere with the signals when drivers tried to remotely lock their cars, the court heard.
"The drivers thought the cars were locked but the doors were actually open," said the prosecuting attorney.
Some 10 drivers in Shanghai and Beijing were victimized by the thefts between last May and September. In one case, Gao allegedly stole an iPhone, an LV name card holder, a Montblanc briefcase and 30,000 yuan from a victim surnamed Xu on Juye Road in Shanghai's Pudong New Area on May 30.
Prosecutors said Gao wandered around the car and pretended to make phone calls. He took the valuables soon after the driver, surnamed Xu, left the scene, prosecutors said.
In court, Gao denied he was the man in the surveillance video that was shown by prosecutors to the court as evidence.
"I deny all accusations," said Gao. "And I hope the judge can be fair to me." Gao said the cell phones, including three iPhones, that the police seized from him were bought from other people at low prices. He also said the money in his bank accounts was not stolen, the court heard.
However, prosecutors brought evidence that included statements from Gao's wife, who admitted Gao had conducted thefts and gave her some of the stolen items and cash. "I've tried to stop him. But he didn't listen to me," said Ao Ping, Gao's wife.
Gao also denied having bought the wireless transmitter and insisted someone asked him to do a favor by bringing the transmitter back to his hometown in Liaoning Province.
The Xuhui court didn't reach a verdict yesterday.
Prosecutors said Gao Qingwen, 41, had a micropower (short-distance) wireless transmitter whose frequency was the same as those of civil-use wireless control devices, including keys to some cars.
The suspect targeted drivers who left their belongings in the car and activated the transmitter to interfere with the signals when drivers tried to remotely lock their cars, the court heard.
"The drivers thought the cars were locked but the doors were actually open," said the prosecuting attorney.
Some 10 drivers in Shanghai and Beijing were victimized by the thefts between last May and September. In one case, Gao allegedly stole an iPhone, an LV name card holder, a Montblanc briefcase and 30,000 yuan from a victim surnamed Xu on Juye Road in Shanghai's Pudong New Area on May 30.
Prosecutors said Gao wandered around the car and pretended to make phone calls. He took the valuables soon after the driver, surnamed Xu, left the scene, prosecutors said.
In court, Gao denied he was the man in the surveillance video that was shown by prosecutors to the court as evidence.
"I deny all accusations," said Gao. "And I hope the judge can be fair to me." Gao said the cell phones, including three iPhones, that the police seized from him were bought from other people at low prices. He also said the money in his bank accounts was not stolen, the court heard.
However, prosecutors brought evidence that included statements from Gao's wife, who admitted Gao had conducted thefts and gave her some of the stolen items and cash. "I've tried to stop him. But he didn't listen to me," said Ao Ping, Gao's wife.
Gao also denied having bought the wireless transmitter and insisted someone asked him to do a favor by bringing the transmitter back to his hometown in Liaoning Province.
The Xuhui court didn't reach a verdict yesterday.
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