Fears over the coronavirus have prompted such shortages of everyday goods in Hong Kong that thieves have held up a supermarket in the city to steal a delivery of toilet paper.
Two men were arrested on Monday after they allegedly used a knife to steal the loo roll, as fears over the deadly coronavirus stoked panic-buying of not only toiletries but also rice and cleaning products.
Police said some of the loot had been recovered from a hotel in the busy Mongkok market district and that a third suspect was being sought. According to local media reports, a masked gang struck at 6am and escaped with 600 rolls worth HK$1,700. “This is a senseless act and we are shocked that this happened,” Wellcome said of the robbery.