Three persons, aged between 38 and 50, will be charged in court on 19 December 2023 for their suspected involvement in separate cases of shop theft.
- On 8 September 2023, the Police were alerted to a case of theft at Raffles City Shopping Centre. Preliminary investigations revealed that a 50-year-old woman was in possession of various beauty products and food items from a shop located within the shopping mall. This was not the only time the Police had been called in against the woman. The woman had also allegedly taken other items from shops at Changi City Point and NEX on 16 February 2023 and 8 April 2023, respectively. The stolen items had an estimated total value of more than $1,300. The woman will be charged with four counts of theft-in-dwelling under Section 380 of the Penal Code 1871.
- On 6 September 2023, the Police were alerted to a case of theft at Loyang Point. A 38-year-old man was arrested on 12 September 2023. Preliminary investigations revealed that the man had taken various items from a shop within the shopping mall thrice between 30 August 2023 and 6 September 2023. The stolen items had an estimated total value of more than $90. The man will be charged with three counts of theft-in-dwelling under Section 380 of the Penal Code 1871.
- On 22 and 27 September 2023, the Police were alerted to a case of theft at a supermarket along Bukit Batok Avenue 8. Through follow-up investigations and with the aid of images from CCTVs, officers from Jurong Police Division established the identity of the woman and arrested her on 3 October 2023. Preliminary investigations revealed that the 49-year-old woman had taken numerous items from the shop on 15 and 26 September 2023. She was previously investigated for a case of theft at Jem on 15 December 2021. The stolen items had an estimated total value of more than $250. The woman will be charged with three counts of theft-in-dwelling under Section 380 of the Penal Code 1871.
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.
The Police take a serious view of shop theft cases, and offenders will be dealt with firmly in accordance with the law. The Police will continue to work closely with stakeholders and the community to prevent and deter shop theft cases. The Police would like to remind retailers to remain vigilant against shop thieves, especially when large crowds are expected. Retailers are advised to adopt the following measures:
- Ensure a good line of sight for the displays by using an appropriate shop layout;
- Display advisory posters or signage against shop theft;
- Display expensive merchandise in locked showcases or at prominent locations (e.g. near cashier counters);
- Install CCTVs with recording system at the entrance/exit of the store to capture the facial features of shoppers; and
- Deploy adequate security personnel to patrol the premises in luminous vests for deterrence.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
18 December 2023 @ 9:56 AM
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
18 December 2023 @ 9:56 AM