The Police have arrested a 54-year-old man for his suspected involvement in a case of theft onboard an aircraft.
On 5 March 2024, a passenger on board an aircraft from Hong Kong to Singapore discovered after disembarkation at Changi Airport that cash amounting to USD$80,000 (approximately S$107,488) was missing from his bag. Preliminary investigations revealed that the victim had placed his bag in the overhead compartment but did not see suspicious person rummaging through his bag.
Officers from Airport Police Division followed up swiftly using flight records and worked together with officers from Commercial Affairs Department to establish the identity of the man. Preliminary investigations revealed that the man had purportedly made four remittance transactions amounting to S$37,897.70, believed to be part of the stolen cash, at the People’s Park Complex. The Police promptly halted the transactions. The 54-year-old man was arrested on the same day of the report and found to have cash of multiple denominations and currencies, amounting to S$79,662.83, in his possession. The cash were seized as case exhibits.
The man will be charged in court on 7 March 2024 with the offence of theft under Section 379 of the Penal Code 1871, read with Section 3 of the Tokyo Convention Act 1971. The offence carries an imprisonment term of up to three years, a fine, or both.
Commander of the Airport Police Division, AC M Malathi, said, “Theft on board an aircraft is a serious offence. The safety and security of all passengers is a top priority for Airport Police. Our swift actions for this case ensured that the perpetrator was apprehended and brought to justice. Airport Police will continue to work closely with our airport stakeholders to ensure aircraft security and safety.”
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, retrieving baggage and rummaging through them during the flight.
- Alert the cabin crew immediately of such suspicious behaviour.
Photographs of Case Exhibits ▼
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
06 March 2024 @ 3:55 PM