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Two men and eight women, aged between 20 and 69, will be charged in court on 20 November 2025 for their suspected involvement in separate cases of shop theft.

The details of the cases are as follows:

1. On 14 September 2025, a 20-year-old man allegedly stole food items, amounting to $17, from a Sheng Shiong outlet located along Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3. Through follow-up investigations and with the aid of images from Police cameras, the Police identified and arrested the man on 16 September 2025. Further investigations revealed that the man was also allegedly involved in earlier cases of shop theft at the same outlet. On 8 June and 15 August 2025, he allegedly stole other food items, amounting to about $20. The man will be charged with three counts of theft in dwelling under Section 380 of the Penal Code 1871.
   
   
2. On 11 September 2025, a 50-year-old-woman alleged stole three bottles of red wine, amounting to about $86, from a Sheng Shiong outlet located along Punggol Central. She was immediately recognised by a store manager following an alert from Sheng Siong’s Facial Recognition (FR) CCTV technology and was detained while attempting to leave without making payment. She was subsequently arrested by the Police. Further investigations revealed that the woman was also allegedly involved in earlier cases of shop theft at the same outlet. Between 2 and 11 September 2025, she allegedly stole 19 bottles of red wine amounting to about $556. The woman will be charged with one count of amalgamated theft in dwelling under Section 380 of the Penal Code 1871 read with Section 124(4) of the Criminal Procedure Code 2010.
   
   
3. On 15 August 2025, a 67-year-old man allegedly stole 20 cans of beer, amounting to about $60, from an NTUC FairPrice outlet located along Clementi Avenue 3. Police established his identity on 21 August 2025 through follow-up investigations and with the aid of images from Police cameras. Further investigations revealed that the man had previously been issued a 24-month conditional warning on 12 June 2025 for his involvement in three other cases of shop theft, amounting to about $199. The man will be charged with one count of theft in dwelling under Section 380 of the Penal Code 1871, and one count of amalgamated theft in dwelling under Section 380 of the Penal Code 1871 read with Section 124(4) of the Criminal Procedure Code 2010.
   
   
4. On 11 August 2025, a 54-year-old-woman allegedly stole multiple grocery items, amounting to about $167, from an NTUC FairPrice outlet located at Yew Tee Point. She was detained by a security officer from the outlet while attempting to leave without making payment. The woman will be charged with one count of theft in dwelling under Section 380 of the Penal Code 1871. 
   
   
5. On 2 August 2025, a 57-year-old woman allegedly stole a clothing item, valued at$299, from a retail store located at Ngee Ann City Shopping Centre. She was detained by a store manager from the outlet while attempting to leave without making payment and was subsequently arrested by Police officers. Further investigations revealed that the woman was also allegedly involved in an earlier case of shop theft at the same store on 13 July 2025, where she had allegedly stolen a clothing item, valued at $319. The woman will be charged with two counts of theft in dwelling under Section 380 of the Penal Code 1871.
   
   
6. On 1 July 2025, a 61-year-old woman allegedly stole two grocery items, amounting to about $15, from a Cold Storage outlet located at West Mall. Officers subsequently established her identity through follow-up investigations and with the aid of images from Police cameras. Further investigations revealed that the woman was also allegedly involved in an earlier case of shop theft at the same outlet on 30 June 2025. On 30 June and 1 July 2025, she allegedly stole four food items amounting to about $20. The woman will be charged with one count of amalgamated theft in dwelling under Section 380 of the Penal Code 1871 read with Section 124(4) of the Criminal Procedure Code 2010.
   
   
7. Between 27 May and 12 August 2025, a 44-year-old woman allegedly stole several items, amounting to about $90, from the Sheng Shiong outlet located along Sin Ming Avenue. On 1 October 2025, she was swiftly detained by a store manager from the outlet following an alert received from Sheng Siong’s FR CCTV technology and was subsequently arrested by the Police. The woman will be charged with one count of amalgamated theft in dwelling under Section 380 of the Penal Code 1871 read with Section 124(4) of the Criminal Procedure Code 2010.
   
   
8. On 21 April 2025, a 23-year-old woman allegedly stole a toy figure valued at $250 from a gift shop located at Plaza Singapura. She was subsequently arrested by police officers on 23 April 2025. The woman will be charged with one count of theft in dwelling under Section 380 of the Penal Code 1871.
   
   
9. On 6 April 2025, a 68-year-old woman allegedly stole several items, amounting to about $136, from an NTUC FairPrice outlet located at Ang Mo Kio Hub. She was detained by a security officer from the outlet while attempting to leave without making payment and was subsequently arrested by the Police. Further investigations revealed that the woman had also allegedly been involved in an earlier case of shop theft at a different retail store within the same mall on the same day, where had allegedly stolen a bag, valued at about $50, from the BATA outlet located at Ang Mo Kio Hub. In another case, on 23 March 2025, the woman allegedly stole a skincare item valued at about $44, from the Watsons outlet located at People’s Park Complex. The woman will be charged with one count of amalgamated theft in dwelling under Section 380 of the Penal Code 1871 read with Section 124(4) of the Criminal Procedure Code 2010.
   
   
10. Between 22 March and 14 April 2025, a 28-year-old woman allegedly stole several items, amounting to about $237, from an NTUC FairPrice outlet located at Canberra Plaza. Officers established her identify on 16 April 2025 through follow-up investigations and with the aid of images from CCTV cameras. The woman will be charged with 10 counts of theft in dwelling under Section 380 of the Penal Code 1871.

The offence of theft in dwelling under Section 380 of the Penal Code 1871, carries an imprisonment term of up to seven years and a fine.

Two out of the 10 persons charged were identified through FR CCTV technology deployed provided by retailers. The remainder were detected by vigilant staff or loss prevention officers. Most retail outlets have CCTV systems installed, and many retailers are now deploying additional security measures such as FR CCTV technology and enhanced loss prevention measures like regular stock takes to detect patterns of missing inventory. With more CCTV cameras installed within retail premises, retailers can easily review the footage and lodge police reports against shoplifters, even if they are not apprehended at scene during the commission of the offence. CCTV footage helps to identify offenders, and they will face the full brunt of the law. The Police will continue to work closely with stakeholders and the community to prevent and deter shop theft cases.

During this end-year school holidays period, the Police would like to remind retailers to be prepared for increased shopping activity and to remain vigilant against thieves, especially when large crowds are expected. Retailers are advised to adopt the following measures:

1. Ensure a good line of sight for the displays by using an appropriate shop layout;
2. Display advisory posters or signs against shop theft;
3. Secure sale items or have them under surveillance by CCTV cameras, especially those places at extended areas;
4. Do not leave items in the stall unattended after operating hours for stalls or bazaar;
5. Display expensive merchandise in locked showcases or at prominent locations (e.g. near cashier counters);
6. Install CCTVs with recording system at the entrance/exit of the store to capture the facial features of shoppers;
7. Deploy adequate staff to patrol the premises to increase deterrence and ensure retail safety while engaging customers as good service;
8. Implement crowd management measures to reduce opportunities for shop theft in high traffic areas;
9. Be extra vigilant with seasonal high-value items such as gift hampers, festive goods, ensuring they are properly secured and monitored; and
10. Remind staff to be particularly alert during peak shopping hours and to report any suspicious behaviours immediately.

Retailers are also strongly encouraged to join the Shop Theft Awareness for Retailers (STAR) programme. Under the STAR programme, the Police work closely with retailers to analyse the stores’ risk factors and vulnerabilities to shop theft and jointly identify effective and practical crime prevention measures. Major retail chains like NTUC FairPrice, Sheng Siong, Watsons and Popular have joined the STAR programme, implementing various crime prevention strategies through this collaboration to strengthen their defence against shop theft. Retailers may contact their nearest Neighbourhood Police Centre to find out more about the programme.