Two men in Quang Nam Province, located on the central coast of Vietnam, have been apprehended and charged with stealing birds from a senior official.

The two thieves were identified as Bui Quang Minh Tan, 23, and Nguyen Van Tung, 23, both residing in Phu Ninh District.

According to case files, Tan and Tung were riding on a motorbike in Tam Ky, the capital city of Quang Nam, on July 14, 2015 when the two hatched a bird-snatching scheme.

Shortly after, the two spotted their targets, a pair of red-whiskered bulbuls owned by Le Phuoc Hoai Bao, the director of Quang Nam’s Department of Planning and Investment. 

Born 1985, Bao is the youngest recorded departmental head in Quang Nam.

Tung waited outside while Tan climbed into the victim’s yard, stealing two birds and cages with a combined value of VND5 million (US$225).

The two escaped from the scene and sold the stolen birds for VND2 million ($90).

The thieves attempted to recreate their success by repeating the crime on July 17, 2015. 

This time, they were able to grab a bird worth VND4 million ($180) from the same victim. 

It was not until they tried to sell the bird that Tan and Tung were caught red-handed.

The partners initially escaped police custody, but were soon arrested and brought to the police station where they confessed their wrongdoings.

The bird was later returned to Bao, who did not request further civil compensation from the thieves.

The two were also found to have committed other thefts, accounting for VND16 million ($720) in stolen phones and laptops between July 6 and 17.

The People’s Procuracy of Tam Ky has submitted the case files to the People’s Court of Tam Ky for trial.

Tan and Tung may face up to three years in prison for their crime, according to the Penal Code of Vietnam.

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