On 26 December 2023, Deputy Assistant Commissioner of Police (DAC) Lee Liang Chye, Deputy Commander of Airport Police Division, presented the Public Spiritedness Award to a member of the public, Mr Khoo Hye Koon Richard (“Mr Khoo”), for assisting the Police in a case of theft on board an aircraft.
On 16 December 2023, a passenger on board an aircraft from Ho Chi Minh to Singapore discovered during disembarkation at Changi Airport that cash amounting to USD$1000 (approximately S$1,332) and S$930 was missing from his bag. He was informed by another passenger that she had seen a man retrieving the said bag from the overhead compartment and rummaging through its contents during the flight. At this point, the man who purportedly rummaged through the bag was seen by Mr Khoo walking swiftly towards the aircraft’s exit. Mr Khoo then immediately stopped the man from leaving. Through preliminary investigations by officers from Airport Police Division, other potential victims were identified, and all the missing monies were recovered. The 52-year-old man was arrested for the offence of theft under Section 379 of the Penal Code 1871 read with Section 3 of the Tokyo Convention Act 1971. The man was charged in court on 18 December 2023.
Separate Case of Theft On board An Aircraft
Another 44-year-old man was arrested and charged in court on 16 December 2023 relating to an incident on 15 December 2023 involving the alleged theft of bags onboard an aircraft from Phnom Penh to Singapore. An off-duty police officer who was onboard the aircraft had allegedly noticed a man acting suspiciously and rummaging through several bags from various overhead compartments. The off-duty officer stopped the man and alerted the affected passengers. The case is presently ongoing.
The offence of theft under Section 379 of the Penal Code 1871 carries an imprisonment term of up to three years, a fine or both.
DAC Lee Liang Chye expressed his heartfelt appreciation to Mr Khoo for his unwavering commitment to keep our community safe and secure. He said, “Airport Police will continue to work closely with the airlines to enhance cabin security and would like to advise members of public who are traveling overseas to remain vigilant against crime when they are onboard the aircraft.”
To protect yourselves from being victims of crime please adopt the following crime prevention measures:
- Keep your cash or valuables with you instead of placing them inside the overhead luggage compartments.
- Be wary of passengers who are seen opening up overhead compartments and retrieving baggage and rummaging through them during the flight.
- Alert the cabin crew immediately of such suspicious behaviour.
Photo of Deputy Commander Airport Police Division, Deputy Assistant Commissioner of Police Lee Liang Chye, presenting the Public Spiritedness Award to Mr Khoo Hye Koon Richard ▼
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
09 January 2024 @ 4:00 PM