Inside the 14-hour manhunt for American who robbed Da Nang jewelry store


August 28, 2025 | 12:30 am PT


West Dale James (2nd, L) is arrested at a rental place, 14 hours after he robbed a jewelry store in Da Nang, Vietnam, Aug. 27, 2025. Photo courtesy of Da Nang police

West Dale James, who was arrested Wednesday for allegedly robbing a jewelry store in Da Nang, had arrived in the city after carefully plotting a violent heist that would leave a guard bloodied and witnesses terrified, according to police.

The 29-year-old American man arrived in Vietnam in June 2025. By Aug. 21, he had already purchased a hammer in Ho Chi Minh City, then boarded a trip to Da Nang with a darker purpose. He rented an apartment on Pham Tu Street in An Hai Ward, a neighborhood popular with short-term visitors, and secured a motorbike from a local shop. Investigators later discovered he had removed the license plate, a calculated move to delay identification after the crime.

According to Colonel Luong Quoc Nghia, head of Da Nang's criminal police, James took pains to plan every step: the disguise, the escape routes, even the decision to target a store with only one guard on duty. To blend in, he bought a green Grab driver's uniform and face covering, preparing himself to vanish into the city's sea of motorbikes.

A movie-like robbery

On Aug. 26, James spent hours weaving through Da Nang streets, circling different shops before locking onto a PNJ jewelry store on Nui Thanh Street, about five kilometers from his apartment. That evening, at around 7:45 p.m., he parked his motorbike in a nearby alley, pulled on gloves and shouldered a backpack.

The guard posted outside never saw it coming. James crept up from behind and struck him with a hammer and an iron bar, leaving the man bleeding and dazed. Witnesses said the tall foreigner, more than 1.8 meters, then stormed into the store, smashed a glass display case and swept gold and diamond jewelry worth roughly VND830 million (US$32,600) into his pack.

Shoppers screamed. The injured guard shouted for help. Several bystanders shoved an iron bar against the shop doors in a desperate attempt to trap the robber inside. But James pushed his way through, sprinted back to his alley and roared away on his waiting motorbike.


 

A man, who was later identified as a 29-year-old man, robs a PNJ jewelry store in Da Nang, Aug. 26, 2025. Video by Huy Manh, Do Nam

The brazen crime in the heart of Da Nang rattled the city. Within hours, Major General Nguyen Huu Hop, Da Nang's police chief, arrived at the scene, calling it a priority case. A special task force led by Deputy Chief Colonel Nguyen Ha Lai mobilized hundreds of officers.

The investigation quickly turned into a citywide dragnet. Police combed surveillance footage, interviewed witnesses and checked motorbike rental shops and lodging facilities. Clues piled up: a foreign man, taller than average, moving around Nui Thanh in a ride-hailing uniform.

By dawn, the task force had zeroed in on James.

Swift arrest

At 10:30 a.m. on Aug. 27, 14 hours after the robbery, officers stormed his apartment on Pham Tu Street. James tried to bolt but was subdued. A search revealed stolen jewelry hidden above the bathroom ceiling, along with watches and other valuables.

Investigators believe James ditched his backpack during the escape and hid around 20 items of jewelry separately. All stolen goods have since been recovered and returned to PNJ.

Police are now probing whether James committed other offenses during his stay in Vietnam.
On Aug. 28, Major General Hop formally commended the task force, praising their coordination and speed.

https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/in...e-4932690.html


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