This image taken from a surveillance video shows Nguyen Cong Nam holding a stone before vandalizing a battery swapping station for VinFast electric vehicles on Pham Van Dong Street in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Supplied
Nguyen Cong Nam, 41, a resident of Binh Thanh Ward, was detained for investigation on charges of property destruction, according to local police.
The arrest was carried out with support from the city’s criminal police force.
The damaged stations were previously installed by V-Green Global Charging Station Development JSC (V-Green), an energy subsidiary of VinFast, the EV arm of Vietnam’s largest private conglomerate Vingroup.
On May 30, V-Green staff discovered that three EV battery swapping stations under its management on Pham Van Dong Street in Linh Xuan Ward had their screens and surveillance cameras smashed, causing damage estimated at tens of millions of Vietnamese dong. [VND1 million = US$38]
The company reported the incidents to local police, who immediately launched an investigation.
As the probe expanded, investigators found that a number of battery swapping stations at other locations across Ho Chi Minh City had been vandalized in a similar manner.
Using evidence collected from the scenes and other investigative measures, police identified Nam as a suspect and arrested him at around 7:00 pm on Monday.
During questioning, Nam admitted to vandalizing the battery swapping stations in Linh Xuan Ward on May 28.
He also confessed to carrying out similar acts at more than 10 other stations in many wards in Ho Chi Minh City, including Thu Duc, Hiep Binh, and Saigon, since late April.
Investigators said Nam used stones picked up from roadsides to smash the screens of multiple stations.
A police officer in Linh Xuan Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, questions Nguyen Cong Nam, who admitted to vandalizing more than 10 battery swapping stations for VinFast electric vehicles at multiple locations in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Supplied
He initially told police that losses from investment activities had left him frustrated, prompting him to commit the acts of property destruction.
Authorities are continuing to investigate his underlying motive and handle the case in accordance with the law.
Police warned that any act that damages or destroys state, corporate, or private property, particularly facilities and equipment serving the public, would be swiftly investigated, with offenders identified, apprehended, and strictly punished, without exception.
They also urged residents to comply with the law, maintain a high level of awareness in protecting and preserving property, and immediately report any acts of damage or destruction of property to law enforcement agencies.
