The Police have arrested one male Spanish/Colombian national (dual citizenship) aged 60, one male Mexican national aged 51, and one male Mexican/Colombian national (dual citizenship) aged 48, for their suspected involvement in three cases of housebreaking and theft, within 27 hours of the first case being reported.
Between 9 and 10 May 2025, the Police were alerted to three cases of housebreaking at three residential units along Cluny Park, Dunearn Close and Eng Neo Avenue.
Through extensive ground enquiries and with the aid of images from CCTVs and Police cameras, officers from Tanglin Police Division, Police Operations Command Centre, Police Intelligence Department, Gurkha Contingent, Special Operations Command and Home Team Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Command established the identities of the suspects. The Police subsequently arrested the three men on 11 May 2025, within 27 hours of the first case being reported. A car, a circular power saw, an assortment of jewellery, as well as cash amounts of more than SGD6,000, 3,100 euros and USD6,400 were recovered from the three men.
The three men will be charged in court on 12 May 2025 for housebreaking and theft with common intention under section 451 of the Penal Code 1871, read with section 34. If convicted, they may be sentenced to imprisonment for a term which may extend to 10 years, and shall also be liable to fine.
Two members of the public had provided key witness accounts to the Police which assisted in the swift arrest of the three men. They were presented with certificates of appreciation on 11 May 2025, in recognition of their community partnership with the Police.
Despite a decreasing number of housebreaking cases, Singapore remains targeted by transnational criminals. The public should continue to adopt crime prevention measures, be vigilant and report suspicious activities promptly. The public should continue to adopt crime prevention measures, be vigilant and report cases to the Police in a timely manner. The Police will spare no effort to apprehend persons who enter Singapore to commit crime, and will deal sternly with them in accordance with the law.
Community vigilance is key to ensure the safety and security of the neighbourhood. While such crimes remain generally low, the Police would like to advise all residents to adopt the following crime prevention measures especially if they will be away for an extended period of time, for instance during the upcoming school holidays:
- Perimeter Security: Ensure that your home's perimeter is well-lit and secured with sturdy fencing, walls, and gates to deter unauthorised access. Trim any overgrown vegetation that could provide cover for potential intruders, or which may block CCTV coverage.
- Window and Door Security: Install sturdy locks on all windows, doors, and consider reinforcing them with additional security measures such as window bars or grilles. Always close and lock windows and doors when leaving the house or retiring for the night.
- Burglar Alarm: Consider installing a burglar alarm system that is connected to a monitoring service or a system, that can alert you and your neighbours in case of a breach.
- CCTV Installation: Consider installing CCTV cameras at strategic locations, as high-resolution images captured by CCTVs have proved useful in solving such cases, and displaying ‘CCTV in operation’ signs, especially near entry points and vulnerable areas. Ensure that the cameras and signs are visible to act as a deterrent to potential burglars.
- Lighting: Ensure the perimeter of your home is well-lit with motion-activated lights to illuminate any suspicious activity or persons during the low-light conditions.
- Secure Valuables: Avoid keeping large amounts of cash at home and always use safe deposit boxes. Keep valuable items such as jewellery and important documents, in a secure and discreet location within your home, such as a safe securely bolted to fixed or permanent structures, to deter theft and unauthorised removal.
- Community Watch Scheme (CWS) - Neighbours on Watch: Consider joining the CWS – Neighbours on Watch, where you will receive regular crime information, alerts, and advisories on the crime concerns around your neighbourhood. For more details, you may refer to ‘https://www.police.gov.sg/Join-SPF/Volunteer-Schemes/Community-Watch-Scheme’.
- Citizens On Patrol (COP) – Sign up as a volunteer with COP where you can play an active role to prevent and deter crime by patrolling your neighbourhood, engaging residents on safety and security measures and alert the Police on suspicious activities or characters. For more details, you may refer to ‘https://www.police.gov.sg/Join-SPF/Volunteer-Schemes/Citizens-on-Patrol-COP’.
Should the residents encounter an intruder in your house or any suspicious characters in your neighbourhood, they should do the following:
- Remain calm;
- Prioritise your safety and that of your family members, and if possible, shout to make loud noises;
- Observe and remember the suspect's clothing, physical appearance, and any distinctive features;
- Take note of the suspect's direction of escape;
- If the suspect uses a vehicle to escape, write down the vehicle's registration number; and
- As soon as it is safe to do so, contact the Police immediately to report the incident.
Residents are also reminded to be vigilant against suspicious persons lurking in residential estates, and to report such persons to the Police by calling ‘999’.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
11 May 2025 @ 6:00 PM