On 18 September 2024, Assistant Commissioner of Police (AC) M Malathi, Commander of Airport Police Division, presented the Public Spiritedness Award to a member of the public, Ms Prescilla Yeo Siew Ling (“Ms Prescilla”), for assisting the Police in a case of shop theft in the transit area of Changi Airport.
On 2 September 2024, Ms Prescilla noticed a woman had allegedly partially concealed a box of perfume beneath a white cap in her trolley while browsing the store. Ms Prescilla kept an eye on the woman and subsequently observed her hiding the perfume under her jacket before leaving the store without paying for it. Ms Prescilla quickly alerted the security officer, who followed the woman and detained her in the transit area. The Police were called and subsequently arrested the woman before her departure to Australia.
Police investigations revealed that the woman, a 41-year-old Australian national, also allegedly committed theft of two boxes of perfumes from a second retail store in the transit area. The woman was arrested for theft in dwelling under Section 380 of the Penal Code 1871 and was charged in court on 16 September 2024.
If convicted, the offence of theft in dwelling under Section 380 of the Penal Code 1871 carries an imprisonment term of up to seven years and a fine.
Commander of Airport Police Division, AC M Malathi expressed her strong appreciation to Ms Prescilla and said, “Airport Police would like to thank Ms Prescilla for her exceptional vigilance. By diligently monitoring the situation and working in coordination with the security officer to go after the female customer, she played a crucial role in the successful and expedient arrest of the serial shoplifter, who otherwise would have left the country. Airport Police will continue to work closely with the airport community to keep our airports safe and secure. We will not allow the perception that persons who commit shop theft at the transit areas will get away with their crime by taking the next flight out of Singapore.”
Photo of Commander of Airport Police Division, Assistant Commissioner of Police M Malathi, presenting the Public Spiritedness Award to Ms Prescilla ▼
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
20 September 2024 @ 2:35 PM