BÀ RỊA-VŨNG TÀU — Two wanted criminals were arrested on Wednesday after absconding for 10 years, according to the police of southern Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu Province.

Trần Văn Chiến and Hồ Văn Được were wanted for the criminal acts of stealing underground cables, chargeable as a crime linked with destroying key national security-related works under the Criminal Code.

In 2006, Chiến was hired by Nguyễn Thị Sầm, a resident of Ward 5 of Vũng Tầu City, as the captain of a fishing boat and was tasked with cutting underground sea cables since he knew the position of these cables.

Chiến and his crew cut 100 tonnes of cables in 2007. While it was docked in Sao Mai of Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu Province, Chiến’s boat was seized with the stolen cables on board.

Sầm was issued an administrative penalty.

Chiến persisted in going out to sea to cut cables, under the instructions of Sầm. While Chiến was cutting some 30 tonnes of cables, he was spotted by those aboard a nearby foreign vessel, and they took a photograph of him. To avoid capture, he rushed to the shore and went on the lam.

In 2007, the police launched criminal proceedings against Chiến, putting him on the wanted list.

During his 10-year absence, Chiến moved continually around the country and cut ties with his family in Sóc Trăng Province as well as his wife in Vũng Tàu City.

Chiến was found working in construction in Bình Chánh District, HCM City.

The other criminal, Được, was investigated for the criminal act of cutting telephone cables in Tân Thành District of Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu Province.

In 2003, Được and his accomplices cut 140kg of cable and sold it for VNĐ1.4 million (US$70).

When the district police discovered his activities, he went on the run while his accomplices were arrested.

After 15 years in hiding, Được was arrested in Lai Uyên Commune, Bầu Bàng District, Bình Dương Province.

Police have placed him in detention for two months while they resume the investigation. — VNS