FIVE suspects were recently arrested in Longgang District for allegedly robbing drivers on Nanping Expressway, yesterday’s Chinese-language newspapers reported.

The knife-wielding thugs targeted drivers whose vehicles had broken down on the road, according to the reports. A police officer, Tang Wencheng, was attacked and had his left hand injured when trying to apprehend the suspects who were allegedly involved in four robberies in less than two months.

Tang and his colleague Guo Lerao drove a car onto Nanping Expressway on Nov. 16. Pretending their car had broken down, Tang got out of the car and went to the rear to get some tools. Suddenly, five men attacked him from behind, shouting “We are robbers.” As Guo was still sitting in the driver’s seat and back-up police officers were yet to arrive, Tang shouted back: “Freeze. Police.” Shocked, the men paused briefly before attacking Tang.

Tang suffered injuries to his left hand and several elbow tendons were also severed.

(Eunice Kang)