The manhunt for two men suspected of involvement in the murder of a Taiwan businessman and his family in a home invasion in Shanghai last Monday ended June 25 when more than 50 Shanghai policemen arrested them in neighbouring Jiangsu Province.

One murder suspect is escorted by police in Suining of East China's Jiangsu Province Wednesday. [newsphoto.com.cn]

The suspects named Huang Ligang, 22, and Cheng Liang, 19, were captured in the town of Suining shortly after midnight.

The two were taken to a sub-station of the Minhang Public Security Bureau in Southwest Shanghai - near the murder site - where they were taken from a car wearing black masks over their heads and shackles around their ankles.

The victim, Song Yu, aged 40, was found murdered along with his wife Lin Huijun and their four-year-old daughter in their rented house in Minhang District.

"The two went around to the house to keep watch on June 22. The building was a local farm house with wide fields nearby," said Kong Xianming, deputy director of the Shanghai Public Security Bureau at a press conference June 25 after the two were brought back to the city. "They got in armed with knives around 3:00am, for four hours after they first arrived."

Investigators believe Song was awakened by the intruders and was killed fighting them. Next, the two burglars killed Song's wife and daughter who had also been awakened.

A senior official of the Shanghai Public Security Bureau shakes hands with the police officers taking part in the investigation of the case.

"The two men later found two people who were staying in the two-storied building, bound them with ropes and stabbed them," Kong said.

Huang and Cheng made off with a platinum watch, cash, three mobilephones, a lap-top computer and a jeep.

The triple slaying attracted the attention of the central government. A nationwide wanted circular was immediately issued and local police began an intensive manhunt for the killers.

Police said they obtained the names of two suspects and were told they came from East China's Jiangsu Province. More than 50 police from Shanghai were sent to Jiangsu where they worked in co-operation with local police.

After the arrest of the two men in Suining, in north of Jiangsu Province, police recovered the jeep, the watch, a lap-top computer and a mobilephone.

"Song's elder brother and Lin's uncle have arrived in Shanghai," said Zhao Yajun, deputy director of Shanghai's Taiwan Affairs Office. "We briefed them on the case and showed them the bodies."

Kong stressed that the burglars had not known the victims - it was not a case of Taiwan businessmen being targetted.

"It was the first burglary case in the area this year," he said. "Shanghai police will spare no efforts to protect overseas people who live in Shanghai."

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