The Police have arrested a 35-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman, both American nationals, for their suspected involvement in multiple cases of shop theft within the transit area of Changi Airport.
On 23 June 2025 at about 5.45pm, the Police were alerted to a case of shop theft at “The Shilla Cosmetics & Perfumes” outlet located in the transit area of Changi Airport Terminal 1. Preliminary investigations revealed that on 23 June 2025, the man had allegedly taken three bottles of perfume with a total value of $488 from the outlet’s display shelf and exited the store without paying. The perfumes were subsequently discovered missing by the staff during their stocktake.
Through follow-up investigations and with the aid of CCTV cameras, officers from Airport Police Division established the identities of the duo and arrested them before they could depart Singapore. Further investigations revealed that the man had also taken a card holder from another retail outlet in Changi Airport Terminal 1, valued at $596.33, on the same day. He also allegedly stole a bottle of perfume valued at $158.40 from another Shilla outlet in the transit area of Changi Airport Terminal 3, prior to his arrest, while the woman purportedly acted as a lookout. All five stolen items were recovered from the duo.
The duo will be charged in court on 23 July 2025. The man will be charged with the offence of theft in dwelling under Section 380 of the Penal Code 1871. The woman will be charged with the offences of theft in dwelling with common intention under Section 380 read with Section 34 of the Penal Code 1871, and assisting in disposing stolen property under Section 414 of the Penal Code 1871. The offence of theft in dwelling carries an imprisonment term of up to seven years, or with a fine, or both. The offence of assisting in disposing stolen property carries an imprisonment term of up to five years and a fine.
The Police take a serious view of shop theft cases and offenders will be dealt with firmly in accordance with the law. Offenders should not think that they can evade capture by quickly boarding a flight; the Police will continue to work closely with stakeholders to prevent and deter shop theft cases.
Photos of the items recovered ▼
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
22 July 2025 @ 11:20 PM