The Police have arrested two male Chinese nationals, aged 38 and 52, for their suspected involvement in two cases of housebreaking and theft, within six hours of the first case being reported.
On 18 December 2024 at about 12.10 pm, the Police were alerted to the first case of housebreaking and theft at a private residential estate along Greenleaf View.
The Police immediately canvassed CCTVs within and around the vicinity of the unit. Through swift follow-up investigations with the aid of Police cameras, the Police identified the two male suspects.
At about 6pm on the same day, the Police arrested both suspects at a hotel along Joo Chiat Road, within six hours of the police report. Two watches valued at about $8,800, a branded pouch valued at about $5,000, an assortment of jewellery, and about $3,570 in cash were recovered from the two men.
Through effective coordination and sense-making by the Police, it was established that some of the valuables recovered were related to another case of housebreaking and theft along Zehnder Road which was reported to the Police at about 8.20pm.
The two men will be charged in court on 20 December 2024 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.
Investigations are underway and the Police have not ruled out the possibility that the two suspects are linked to the housebreaking syndicate active in Singapore in mid-2024. The Police do not tolerate such brazen acts of crime and will spare no effort to apprehend offenders and deal with them in accordance with the law.
Since June 2024, the Police have stepped up measures to prevent and deter housebreaking and theft at private residential estates. These include placing additional police cameras at strategic locations and frequent police patrols. In the lead up to the holiday season, the Police have proactively engaged residents from the private residential estates and issued crime prevention advisories.
Community vigilance is key to ensure the safety and security of the neighbourhood. While such crimes remain generally low, the Police encourage residents to adopt crime prevention measures, such as installing CCTVs and bulgar alarm systems, to protect themselves and their homes.
Should you encounter an intruder in your house or any suspicious characters in your neighbourhood, you 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
19 December 2024 @ 5:00 PM