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The Police will be charging a 50-year-old male Chinese national on 11 March 2026 for his suspected involvement in a case of theft onboard an aircraft. 

On 2 October 2025 at about 6.20pm, the Police were alerted to a case of suspected theft onboard an aircraft enroute from Singapore to Jakarta. Preliminary investigations revealed that the man left his assigned seat, walked several rows ahead and allegedly removed a victim’s bag, which was stored in the overhead compartment of the aircraft. He then purportedly carried the bag back to his seat, rummaged through the contents of the bag and took cash amounting to S$750 and three bank cards from the victim’s wallet before returning the bag to its original location.

The man’s unusual movement and suspicious behaviour caught the attention of a cabin crew member, who then alerted the victim to check his belongings. Upon the victim checking the contents of the bag and discovering his cash and cards were missing, the cabin crew immediately informed the flight captain and the matter was reported to the Indonesian authorities. Before the aircraft landed in Jakarta, the missing cash and cards were found in the aircraft and subsequently returned to the victim. The man was denied entry by the Indonesian authorities and directed to return to Singapore. After the aircraft landed at Changi Airport, officers from Airport Police Division arrested the man. Foreign currencies and several mobile phones were recovered from him and seized as case exhibits. 

The man will be charged in court with the offence of theft under Section 379 of the Penal Code 1871, read with Section 3(1) of the Tokyo Convention Act 1971. The offence carries an imprisonment term of up to three years, a fine, or both.

The Police have zero tolerance against acts of theft onboard an aircraft and will spare no effort to apprehend such offenders, who will be dealt with sternly in accordance with the law.

The Police would also like to remind members of the public to protect themselves from being victims of crime onboard an aircraft. Members of the public are advised to adopt the following crime prevention measures:

• Keep your cash or valuables with you at all times instead of placing them inside the overhead luggage compartments;
• Be wary and keep a lookout for passengers who are seen opening overhead compartments and retrieving baggage or rummaging through them during the flight; and
• Alert the cabin crew immediately to such suspicious behaviour.

On 3 November 2025, Assistant Commissioner (AC) of Police M. Malathi, Commander of Airport Police Division (APD), presented the Public Spiritedness Award to the cabin crew member in recognition of his vigilance in detecting the theft. AC M. Malathi commended the cabin crew member for his alertness and prompt action in reporting the suspicious behaviour during the flight. Such vigilance by airline staff and members of the public play an important role in deterring crime and assisting the authorities in the swift detection of theft onboard an aircraft. This case highlights the importance of public vigilance in maintaining the safety and security of air travel.

Commander of Airport Police Division (APD), Assistant Commissioner of Police M. Malathi presenting the Public Spiritedness Award to Mr Muhammad Fariz Bin Johari on 3 November 2025.