Nguyễn Đức Trung (second from left) was arrested Tuesday morning for kidnapping a seven-year-old child in Hà Nội. — VNA/VNS Photo

VĨNH PHÚC — A senior police officer has been stripped of his title after he was arrested for kidnapping a seven-year-old boy.

Vĩnh Phúc Provincial Police on Thursday announces the decision to strip the title of former Senior Lieutenant Nguyễn Đức Trung. 

The document was signed and came into effect on Tuesday. 

Speaking to Tuổi Trẻ (Youth) online newspaper, deputy director of Hà Nội City Police Major General Nguyễn Thanh Tùng said: “When the suspect was brought to our headquarters for questioning, he initially hid his identity and said he did not have a job.

“However, after being questioned, Trung admitted that he was a senior lieutenant who was working in the traffic police department of Vĩnh Phúc Provincial Police.”

Hà Nội City Police has begun the prosecution process for the case.

A four-month detention order was also issued for Trung for "kidnapping in order to appropriate property", according to Article 169 of the Penal Code while inquiries are continuing.

On Tuesday morning, Hà Nội City Police arrested Trung for kidnapping a seven-year-old child from a residential area in Việt Hưng Ward of Long Biên District, Hà Nội. 

Trung said that he was in debt and planned to blackmail the family for money.

On Monday evening, Trung was circling his car around the villa area in Việt Hưng District when he spotted the child riding a bicycle.

He then grabbed the child, forced him into his car and drove off. 

When he arrived in Hà Nam Province, Trung contacted the family and said he would return the child if they gave him VNĐ15 billion (US$627,400).

Hà Nội City Police found him hiding in the industrial park area of Hà Nam’s Duy Tiên District.

At the time of his arrest, Trung also shot a rubber bullet towards a police officer, injuring his right thigh. — VNS