A New Territories North Regional Crime Unit investigation code-named "SPYMESH" revealed the syndicate was involved in multiple crimes including taking conveyance without authority, theft from vehicles, using a false instrument, and driving without a license, said chief inspector of the New Territories North Regional Crime Unit 3 Mo Siu-hei.

"Detectives found that members of the syndicate would drive expensive European sports cars as a diversion while others would seek out the cars they were targeting on quiet streets or at parking lots with low security," Mo said.

The process of breaking into the cars only took a few minutes, Mo said, as the thieves simply pry open the doors before driving off to a secluded area. In some cases, they would install imitation license plates on the vehicles, he added.

Mo said five missing vehicles in Tuen Mun, Yuen Long and Tin Shui Wai were recovered during the two-day operation. The syndicate mainly targeted seven-seater, hybrid electric vehicles manufactured by Honda or Toyota.

Detectives believed the car thieves were after the valuable rare metals used in the hybrid cars' catalytic converters, which were missing from the recovered vehicles.

"Police have noticed an increase in car robberies and stolen car parts involving certain types of cars and manufacturers," Mo said, adding that hybrid electric vehicles, typically considered to be low-cost alternatives to fully fuel-powered vehicles, may be the target of more car robberies.

Over the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, several drivers were arrested for automobile-related crimes in a three-day joint operation by the Police Tactical Unit and New Territories south traffic headquarters.

Four of the men, aged between 28 and 41, were held for driving unlicensed vehicles and driving without third-party insurance.

Separately, a local man, 27, was arrested on suspicion of theft from vehicles.