Le Minh Tri, 42, from the city's former Tan Phu District, left the country in 2005 after the alleged theft, Ho Chi Minh City police said in announcing the arrest on Aug. 23.

The police investigation agency issued a wanted decision against him for theft of property after he had already gone.

Detectives learned on Aug. 12 that Tri would enter Vietnam through the Tan Son Nhat International Airport border checkpoint and coordinated with officers on duty there to detain him on arrival.

Tri was handed to the Criminal Police Division, which is continuing the investigation.