Tourist’s Handbag Snatched Through Car Window in Da Nang

Vietnam Insider — An 18-year-old man on a motorbike brazenly snatched a tourist’s handbag through the open window of a moving car along the popular coastal road in Da Nang, according to local authorities.

The suspect, Lê Ngọc Sử, a resident of Hue, was arrested on June 11 by Da Nang police for investigation into multiple street thefts.

At around 12:15 a.m. on June 5, Sử reportedly drove his motorbike up close to a car traveling along Võ Nguyên Giáp Street in Sơn Trà District. Spotting an open window, he reached into the vehicle and grabbed a handbag belonging to a 25-year-old female tourist from Hanoi. The bag contained a pair of Apple AirPods and VND 2 million (approx. USD 80).

After speeding away into the night, Sử struck again less than an hour later. This time, he snatched a smartphone from a 17-year-old girl from Quảng Nam who was standing on the sidewalk along the same street.

Both robberies occurred in the early hours of the morning, in relatively deserted areas, making it difficult for authorities to quickly identify the suspect. Witnesses could only describe him as a young man wearing a white T-shirt, riding a Yamaha Exciter motorbike.

Police spent several days reviewing surveillance footage from multiple streets before finally identifying and apprehending Sử on June 10.

During questioning, he confessed to both thefts. Authorities also revealed that he had previously been sent to a juvenile reform school for a similar offense.

As Da Nang continues to welcome tourists from across Vietnam and abroad, the incidents serve as a reminder to remain vigilant, especially during late-night hours.