Police investigators in the northern province of Thai Binh have started legal proceedings against 14 arrestees charged with stealing assets from Shengli Steel Co., Ltd in Cau Nghin Industrial Park.

The indictments read that by taking advantage of disturbances during local protests against China’s illegal placement of a drilling rig in Vietnam’s waters on May 14, the defendants allegedly mingled with the crowds to steal property from the enterprise.

Out of the charged, 11 people were accused of stealing assets, while three others were indicted on the charge of consuming stolen property.

In regards to the case, the provincial investigation police agency seized many stolen items, including computer screens, laptops and motorbikes. The local authorities are also continuing investigations in a bid to reclaim all the stolen property.-VNA