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The Police have arrested a 30-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman for their suspected involvement in obstruction of justice with common intention. The man faces an additional charge for allegedly providing false information to a public servant.

On 4 March 2026, the man lodged a police report claiming that he had been the victim of a snatch theft along Queen Street. He alleged that an unknown perpetrator had stolen his black sling bag containing gold jewellery, a mobile phone, and $400 in cash, with the total estimated value of the items amounting to $21,668. In view of the seriousness of the report, the Police deployed significant resources to investigate the alleged offence and to search for the perpetrator.

Through follow-up investigations, officers from Central Police Division discovered discrepancies in the man’s account. Upon further questioning, the man allegedly admitted to Police that he had lodged a false report in order to evade overseas customs tax. Investigations also revealed that his wife was aware of the false report and had assisted him by concealing the gold jewellery in a bottle hidden in her haversack. The couple had allegedly obstructed justice by concealing this evidence.

Both individuals will be charged in court on 6 March 2026 with obstruction of justice with common intention under Section 204A of the Penal Code 1871, read with Section 34 of the same Act. The man will face an additional charge of providing false information to a public servant under Section 182 of the Penal Code 1871.

The offence of obstruction of justice carries an imprisonment term of up to seven years, or a fine, or both. Providing false information to a public servant carries an imprisonment term of up to two years, or a fine, or both.

The Police remind members of the public that police resources must be directed towards addressing genuine crimes and emergencies rather than investigating false reports. Those who lodge false police reports or provide false information will be dealt with sternly in accordance with the law.