On 19 June 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 Phung Thao Ngan (“Ms Phung”), for assisting the Police in a case of shop theft at a retail store within the departure transit area of Changi Airport Terminal 4.
On 31 May 2024, Ms Phung, who was working as a sales assistant in the store, observed a female customer holding on to a box of eye cream while browsing the store. After the customer left, Ms Phung realised that the customer did not pay for the eye cream at the cashier. Ms Phung immediately checked the shelves and discovered that a box of eye cream was missing. She quickly reviewed the in-house CCTV which revealed the customer placing the box of eye cream into her bag. The customer subsequently left the shop with the unpaid item. The Police were notified and responded swiftly to the case. The customer was eventually detained in the transit area before her departure to Bali.
Police investigations revealed that the customer, a 36-year-old woman, also allegedly committed theft in five other shops in the transit area within a short span of time. The woman was arrested for theft in dwelling under Section 380 of the Penal Code 1871.
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 heartfelt appreciation to Ms Phung and said, “Airport Police would like to thank Ms Phung for her exceptional alertness and due diligence. By going the extra mile to check the CCTV footage and promptly alerting the Police, 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.”
Photo of Commander Airport Police Division, Assistant Commissioner of Police M Malathi, presenting the Public Spiritedness Award to Ms Phung Thao Ngan ▼
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
19 June 2024 @ 8:00 PM