Phạm Bá Quang with tools and the metal shards used to make sharp nails at the police station in southern Đồng Nai Province’s Biên Hoà City. — VNA/VNS Photo

THANH HOÁ — Police in southern Đồng Nai Province’s Biên Hoà City have detained and started legal proceedings against a mechanic for deliberately damaging other people's property.

Phạm Bá Quang, 35, was caught spreading nails on National Highway No 51 at 4.35am on April 4.

The nails were set as a trap for those travelling on the road to damage their tyres. The drivers then went to Quang’s shop to get their flat tyres fixed at high costs of between VNĐ80,000 (US$3.2) and VNĐ350,000 ($14).

Police from Tam Phước Ward seized a plastic bottle containing sharp nails.

The police also raided Quang’s motorbike repair shop in Tam Phước Ward and found 500 sharp nails and nearly 400 metal shards.

At the police station, Quang admitted he purchased the metal shards to cut them into sharp nails and spread them along National Highway No 51 near his shop.

He wanted to earn a profit from fixing flat tyres of his victims. — VNS