FIVE burglars who broke into a house and severely wounded its owner in Binjiangxincun were arrested after more than three months’ investigation, a local newspaper reported yesterday.

　　The case was widely publicized at the time. Four of the five broke into the house by destroying the iron security bars in the early hours May 23.

　　But the owner, a Mr. Li, 44, and 1.85m tall, fought off the intruders who finally fled leaving Li with 10 deep knife wounds. He was later taken to hospital where his wounds required more than 30 stitches.

　　A crucial clue came in August from a captured suspect who involved some of his townsmen in making a living from burglaries.

　　He told police that a group had gone back home to avoid capture for a robbery they committed some weeks earlier. Further police investigations finally identified the main suspects.

　　On August 27, police were told of suspicious activity in the Qing- shuihe area. Later that night, 20 policemen arrested the suspects when they attempted to break into a house there.

　　According to police, the suspects were allegedly involved in another 15 burglary cases.

　　Police recovered money and stolen goods worth more than 200,000 yuan (US$2,400) from the five suspects.