A gang of thieves who planted their members at newly opened hotels or restaurants to commit burglaries was taken into police custody on July 31, reports Beijing Morning Post.

Yuan Jun and five others opened a small eatery at Shilipu, which served as a cover for their activities.

Whenever they heard about a new hotel or restaurant opening up, Yuan would send a member to apply for a job as a waiter or waitress. After that, he would wait for the best time to take action.

The gang were caught after the Manxin Restaurant lost 54,000 yuan (US$6,500) in cash and two gold bars worth 10,000 yuan (US$1,200) each.

Long, who worked at the restaurant for 20 days and disappeared soon after, turned out to be the gang member who ushered his colleagues into the restaurant on April 7, the day when the restaurant paid its employees.

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