Attending ex-girlfriend's wedding, arresting the groom's officer on the spot

At 6 a.m., just as dawn was breaking, the rested team members, full of energy, threw themselves into their new investigation. Wang Shuai divided the team into five groups, each responsible for a specific area. Carrying screenshots of the suspicious man, they visited and investigated 24-hour convenience stores, gas stations, pharmacies, and other establishments one by one. "Excuse me, sir/madam, could you please take a look? Have you seen this person? Wearing a green jacket, slightly overweight, and about 178 centimeters tall," the team members patiently asked each shopkeeper, holding the screenshots.

The investigation was progressing slowly, with most shopkeepers saying they hadn't seen the man. Then, at 10:00 AM, the team responsible for the northwest search brought good news: "Team Leader Wang, we found a lead at the 'Huimin Supermarket' at the intersection of Xingfu Road and Guangming Road! This supermarket is open 24 hours a day and has advanced surveillance equipment; they captured a clear image of the man in the green jacket!"

Upon receiving the news, Wang Shuai immediately drove to Huimin Supermarket. The supermarket manager had already retrieved the relevant surveillance footage, and Wang Shuai carefully examined the screen. The footage showed that at 9:15 PM the night before the incident, a man wearing a green jacket entered the supermarket. He had already removed his mask and was selecting bottled water and bread from the shelves. The man's facial features were clear: a square face, thick eyebrows, and a noticeable scar on the corner of his left eye. He appeared to be between 45 and 50 years old. "Great! Immediately copy this surveillance footage, extract the man's facial features, and send it simultaneously to all police stations in the jurisdiction, requesting a joint investigation. We must identify this person as soon as possible!" Wang Shuai said excitedly.

The team members quickly copied the surveillance footage, compiled the man's facial screenshots and characteristic information into a notice for assistance, and sent it to police stations in various districts of the city. Wang Shuai stayed at the supermarket and further questioned the supermarket staff: "Does this person come here often? Has he done anything unusual?" The supermarket cashier recalled: "This person comes occasionally, usually in the evening to buy some daily necessities. He doesn't talk much, and leaves after he's done buying. He doesn't do anything unusual. I remember he seems to live in an old neighborhood nearby, but I'm not sure which neighborhood it is."

At 11:30 a.m., the Xingfu Road Police Station in the jurisdiction reported back: "Captain Wang, we have identified the man through the facial recognition system! His name is Zhang Huaide, male, 49 years old, registered address is Zhangjiazhuang, Qinghe County, a neighboring city, and he is from the same town as the deceased Zhang Fenglu! His current temporary residence in this city is Room 502, Unit 2, Building 3, Heping Community, Xingfu District. He also works as a security guard at Anbang Security Service Co., Ltd."

"Fellow townsman? Or even a colleague?" Wang Shuai's heart skipped a beat; this connection was no coincidence. He immediately arranged for his team to retrieve Zhang Huaide's detailed file, discovering that Zhang Huaide had a criminal record: five years ago, he was sentenced to six months in prison with a one-year suspended sentence for gambling. "A gambling record, and being from the same hometown and in the same profession—there must be a connection! Immediately investigate the relationship between Zhang Huaide and Zhang Fenglu to verify if the two have ever crossed paths."

The team quickly launched an investigation, visiting the workplaces and residential areas where Zhang Huaide and Zhang Fenglu had previously worked and lived. They soon discovered their relationship: a year ago, Zhang Huaide and Zhang Fenglu had shared a two-bedroom apartment in the "Jixiang Community" near Jianshe Road for eight months before separating six months prior. "They're not only from the same hometown, but they've also shared an apartment; their relationship is definitely not ordinary! Zhang Fenglu is introverted and has a limited social circle, while Zhang Huaide is a prime suspect!" Wang Shuai decisively shifted the focus of the investigation entirely to Zhang Huaide.

At 1 PM, the team learned from Anbang Security Service Co., Ltd., where Zhang Huaide worked, that Zhang Huaide's patrol area was near Xingfu Residential Area, adjacent to Zhang Fenglu's patrol area, and the two frequently encountered each other during work. More importantly, Zhang Huaide was on the night shift the night before the incident, working from 8 PM to 8 AM the following morning, which highly coincides with Zhang Fenglu's time of death, from 11 PM the night before last to 2 AM the following morning. "Immediately verify Zhang Huaide's attendance on the night of the incident, and whether he has an alibi!" Wang Shuai said.

The investigation results came back quickly: Zhang Huaide did indeed go to work the night before the incident, but he was not in his patrol area for three hours between 10 pm and 1 am, and could not provide a reasonable explanation for his whereabouts. Colleagues reported that Zhang Huaide was usually short-tempered, frequently argued with others over trivial matters, and had a gambling addiction, seemingly accumulating considerable gambling debts recently.

Meanwhile, the technical department also reported important test results: "Team Leader Wang, we compared Zhang Huaide's identity information with the trace evidence collected at the scene and found that the size 43 sneaker footprints collected at the scene are completely consistent with the shoe size and sole pattern of the sneakers Zhang Huaide usually wears! In addition, the green fiber sample collected at the scene also matches the fiber composition of Zhang Huaide's green jacket perfectly!"

"The evidence is conclusive! Zhang Huaide is the suspect in this case!" Wang Shuai slammed his fist on the table excitedly. "Convene an arrest deployment meeting immediately, formulate a detailed arrest plan, and ensure that the arrest operation is foolproof!"

At 2 PM, a meeting to plan the arrest was held in the Criminal Investigation Detachment conference room. Wang Shuai, based on information such as Zhang Huaide's temporary residence, workplace, and activity patterns, formulated a meticulous arrest plan: "Zhang Huaide's current temporary residence is Room 502, Unit 2, Building 3, Heping Residential Area. This is an old residential area without elevators, and Room 502 is on the top floor. We will split into three groups: the first group, led by me, will be responsible for a frontal assault; the second group will be responsible for sealing off the front and back gates of the residential area to prevent Zhang Huaide from escaping; the third group will be responsible for setting up surveillance near Zhang Huaide's workplace to prevent him from suddenly returning. The arrest time is set for 3 PM, when Zhang Huaide will have just finished get off work and returned home, and will most likely be resting at home with low vigilance."

After deployment, the team members immediately organized their equipment, carrying handcuffs, batons, bulletproof vests, and other gear, and quietly drove to Heping Residential Area in five unmarked vehicles. At 2:50 PM, all groups arrived at their designated positions, completing the encirclement of Heping Residential Area. Wang Shuai led the first group of members, dressed in plainclothes, and quietly entered the residential area, arriving at Unit 2 of Building 3. "Stay hidden and follow my instructions," Wang Shuai whispered to his team members.

The team members quickly dispersed on both sides of the building entrance, while Wang Shuai led two team members to quietly climb the stairs to the fifth floor. The stairwell was dimly lit and covered in dust; the creaking of the stair treads could be heard with every step. (End of Chapter)