A man in Shanghai was arrested after allegedly stealing a nurse’s mobile phone while donating blood, claiming he acted out of desperation after losing his own device and running out of money.
According to Shanghai Railway Police, the theft took place at a blood donation centre near Shanghai Railway Station on May 3.
The incident came to light at around 6.30pm when a nurse reported that her mobile phone had gone missing while she was on duty.
CCTV footage later revealed that a man who had visited the centre to donate blood allegedly took advantage of a moment when the nurse was distracted and quietly stole the phone from a desk inside the donation facility.
Police quickly launched an investigation and used surveillance footage to identify and track down the suspect, identified as Wang.
Authorities successfully located and arrested him within 12 hours of the reported theft.
During questioning, Wang reportedly admitted to stealing the phone.
He told investigators that he had travelled from his hometown to Shanghai in search of work but had recently lost his own mobile phone. With no savings and limited resources, he said he was tempted to steal the nurse’s device.
Police recovered the stolen phone and returned it to its owner.
Wang has since been subjected to administrative punishment by Shanghai Railway Police for the theft.
The unusual case has attracted widespread attention online, with many expressing disbelief that someone would commit a theft while taking part in a blood donation drive.
Authorities reminded the public that financial hardship is never an excuse for criminal behaviour and warned that theft offences will continue to be dealt with according to the law.
