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The Police will be charging a 60-year-old male French national and two female Indian nationals, aged 59 and 61, for their suspected involvement in two separate cases of shop theft at Changi Airport.

Facts of the First Case

On 22 April 2026 at about 2.40pm, the Police were alerted to a shop theft at a retail outlet in the transit area of Changi Airport Terminal 1. Preliminary investigations revealed that a retail assistant had noticed a pair of sunglasses missing from the display shelf.

Through ground enquiries and with the aid of images from CCTV, officers from the Airport Police Division established the identity of the man. The CCTV footage showed that the man had taken a pair of sunglasses valued at $751.38 and left the store without making payment. Officers from the Airport Police Division arrested the man before his flight departed and recovered the stolen item. He was also found in possession of two stolen cans of tea valued at $69.49 from another retail store. 

Facts of the Second Case

In a separate case, on 23 April 2026 at about 7.10am, the Police were alerted to a shop theft at a retail outlet in the transit area of Changi Airport Terminal 3. Preliminary investigations revealed that a retail assistant had noticed three bracelets and three bangles missing from the display shelf. 

CCTV footage showed that while the retail assistant was serving another customer, the two women took three bracelets, three bangles, two rings and one watch, with a total value of $2,738.52. They subsequently left the store without making payment. Officers from the Airport Police Division arrested both women before their departures and recovered the stolen items. Investigations also revealed that the women had earlier stolen two toy cars and one keychain valued at $32.66 from another retail store. 

All three persons will be charged in court on 5 May 2026. The man will be charged with two counts of theft in dwelling under Section 380 of the Penal Code 1871. He will also face an additional charge of fraudulent possession of property under Section 35(1) of the Miscellaneous Offences (Public Order and Nuisance) Act 1906. Each of the two women will be charged with two counts of theft in dwelling under Section 380 of the Penal Code 1871. The offence of theft in dwelling carries a penalty of up to seven years' imprisonment, a fine, or both. The offence of fraudulent possession carries a penalty of up to one year's imprisonment, a fine of up to $3,000, or both.

The Police take a serious view of shop theft cases and will deal firmly with offenders in accordance with the law. Offenders should not assume that they can evade detection after committing such offences. The Police will continue to work closely with stakeholders to prevent and deter shop theft at Changi Airport.

Stolen items by the women:

Stolen items by the man: