HONG KONG - TWO former members of China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) were arrested while trying to rob the graves of the rich and famous in a Hong Kong cemetery, a local newspaper reported Friday.

Police confronted five men armed with knives, gloves, and fire lighters acting suspiciously in the Tseung Kwan O Chinese Permanent Cemetery in the early morning of Dec 30, a police spokesman told AFP.

Two of the five were arrested and charged with illegal entry and possession of instruments fit for unlawful purpose, while the rest managed to escape, she said.

The spokesman would not confirm the identity of the group, but Apple Daily reported that one of the arrested men had admitted to officers that they were ex-PLA soldiers.

The newspaper said the suspect had told police the ex-PLA soldiers were having financial problems and had decided to rob graves of the wealthy, believing that these would contain jewellery and other expensive items. -- AFP