The Police have arrested a 25-year-old male Chinese national for his suspected involvement in a case of theft on board an aircraft.
On 8 August 2025 at about 5.30am, the Police were alerted to a case of suspected theft in the Business Class onboard an aircraft that was enroute from Dubai to Singapore. Preliminary investigations revealed that while the victim was asleep, his wife saw the man purportedly take the victim’s bag, which was stored in the overhead compartment of the aircraft. The victim’s wife questioned the man, prompting him to return the bag to the overhead compartment. She subsequently alerted the victim to the suspected theft.
After the aircraft landed at Changi Airport, the man was unable to provide a satisfactory explanation for his actions to officers from Airport Police Division and was subsequently arrested before he could depart for his next scheduled flight.
The man will be charged in court on 10 August 2025 with the offence of theft under Section 379 of the Penal Code 1871, read with Section 3 of the Tokyo Convention Act 1971. The offence carries an imprisonment term of up to three years, or with a fine, or with both.
The Police have zero tolerance against acts of theft on board 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 on board 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 up overhead compartments and retrieving baggage and rummaging through them during the flight; and
- Alert the cabin crew immediately of such suspicious behaviour.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
09 August 2025 @ 7:45 PM