The Da Nang Police Criminal Investigation Division announced on Aug. 17 that it had detained 39-year-old Enola Lugai to investigate charges of "property theft."

Enola Lugai at a police station in Da Nang along with items she stole from a resort. Photo by Thanh Huynh

According to authorities, Lugai walked from An Bang Beach near Hoi An Ancient Town to an adjoining villa complex at a five-star resort in Dien Ban Dong Ward early on Aug. 8.

She allegedly tested the doors of several villas with the intention of committing a burglary.

Upon discovering that Villa V67 was unlocked, she spotted two handbags on a living room table, entered the property, and took the items.

She reportedly hid the stolen goods before taking a vehicle into central Da Nang to find a buyer.

The victim, 48-year-old Alkhalifah Khalifah Abdvlaziza, later filed a police report detailing the stolen property.

The missing items included a Rolex watch, a Louis Vuitton shoulder bag, Bulgari sunglasses, and a Hapas handbag, with a combined estimated value exceeding VND500 million.

Da Nang criminal police coordinated with local authorities to examine the crime scene and review surveillance footage.

Investigators also conducted background checks on dozens of foreign nationals in the area who were deemed suspicious.

Around 9:30 p.m. on Aug. 9, officers located and arrested Lugai at a hotel on Yen Bai Street in Hai Chau Ward, where she was allegedly hiding.

Police successfully recovered all of the stolen luxury items.

During questioning, Lugai told investigators she had entered Vietnam on July 29 and had been staying in the An Bang Beach area.

She reportedly confessed to the crime, stating she resorted to stealing after running out of money and failing to find employment.

The investigation remains ongoing.