A daring robbery at a PNJ Jewellery Center in the central city Da Nang took a sharp turn when police swiftly caught the alleged culprit, an American man armed and desperate.
On Tuesday evening around 8 p.m., a tall man disguised in Grab delivery uniform, complete with helmet and face mask, approached the store on Nui Thanh Street. Without warning, he reportedly attacked the security guard with a blunt weapon, repeatedly striking him on the head, leaving the guard unable to respond.
Seizing the moment, the suspect smashed the glass display cases and filled his backpack with a substantial amount of jewellery. Alarmed by the guard’s cries for help, residents quickly intervened, blocking the store’s gate with an iron bar to prevent the escape.
Despite their efforts, the thief reportedly forced the door open and fled with the stolen goods.
Da Nang City police acted swiftly and arrested the alleged suspect, Dale James, born in 1996, hiding in a rented apartment on Pham Tu Street the following day.
Fearing the suspect might be armed, some witnesses did not dare to intervene, allowing him to run a short distance before disappearing into the crowded street, Cong An Nhan Dan (People’s Public Security) online newspaper reported.
Police said James entered Vietnam in early June 2025 and rented the apartment on Pham Tu Street where he was arrested on Wednesday.
Before committing the crime, he had also rented a motorbike and removed its licence plate.
After the robbery, he returned to his lodging to hide the stolen jewellery.
When police raided the premises on Wednesday morning, James attempted to escape but was quickly subdued and arrested.
