Sharp eyes, sound judgment

When observing crowds, regular people won't notice any abnormalities, but Wang and his team members are able to detect the subtle nervousness of cautious pickpockets.

"Timing is equally important," explains Wang. "If seized early, the thief will plead their innocence. If you catch them too late, they won't admit the crime because the stolen goods have already been transferred elsewhere."

Wang recruits dozens of volunteers. The "vendors" who helped him track the "fake pregnant woman" are his right-hand men.

"Wang can deal with all kinds of pickpockets. He recognizes them quickly and responds at the right time," Dong Anxin, the instructor of the local Minquan Police Station, says of Wang. "Thieves are afraid of him."

Some thieves have been put behind bars by Wang several times, and they threaten that they will "kick his ass when they get out".

Wang is oblivious to these types of threats. "I wouldn't stay on the job if I am afraid."

But the iron man felt frightened once.

It was on Aug 15, 2006, when Wang got into a fight with a tough thief, and when Wang finally seized the man's neck and brought him down, the thief suddenly turned around and bit Wang's upper leg so hard that it bled.

The thief, who went under the alias Liu Sha, was a 24-year-old habitual thief. During interrogation, he confessed that he was HIV positive, and confirmation from a hospital shook Wang.

"I took prescribed medicine every day and avoided hanging out with my girlfriend and family during that time," he says.

Luckily, the test results showed Wang had not been infected.

Wang believes thieves are no different from others. "I hate their deed, but I pity them too," says Wang. "Sometimes we talk with them. If they have difficulties in life, we will try our best to help them out."

Wang was voted one of the 21 favorite policemen around the country in an online survey organized by People's Daily in late 2013.

After work, Wang is a loving father. He spends most of his spare time with his wife and son, going to parks. When his little boy is too tired from playing, Wang carries him home on his back. "I'm not a hero," says Wang, "I'm just an ordinary man with a deep love for my work and family."

Xing Yi and Zhang Jihong contributed to this story.