The Police have arrested a 23-year-old man for his suspected involvement in a case of theft and carrying offensive weapon in public places.
On 10 August 2025 at about 10.35pm, the Police received a call for assistance along Commonwealth Avenue West, where a man had been detained for allegedly stealing a gold chain, valued approximately at $16,400, from a victim. The victim, who had listed the gold chain for sale on Carousell, had arranged to meet a potential buyer along Clementi Avenue 4. During the meet-up, when the victim placed the gold chain on a weighing machine to show its weight, the man, under the pretext of examining the item more closely, took the gold chain and fled.
The victim chased after the man and successfully detained him along Commonwealth Avenue West with the assistance of a passerby. The stolen gold chain and a folding knife were found in the man’s possession.
The man will be charged in court on 12 August 2025 with the offences of theft under Section 379 of the Penal Code 1871 and carrying offensive weapons in public places under Section 6(1) of the Corrosive and Explosive Substances and Offensive Weapons Act 1958. The offence of theft carries an imprisonment term of up to three years, or a fine, or both. The offence of carrying offensive weapons in public places carries an imprisonment term of up to three years and not less than six strokes of the cane.
The Police would like to advise members of the public to be alert and attentive to their surroundings when meeting potential buyers or sellers or making transactions in person, especially when carrying valuables or large sums of cash. They should avoid going to secluded places and report any suspicious persons or activities to the Police immediately by calling ‘999’.
In a public-spiritedness award ceremony held at Clementi Police Division on 11 August 2025, the passerby, Mr Lee Yew Thye, aged 57, was commended by the Commanding Officer of Clementi Neighbourhood Police Centre, Superintendent Alvin Ong, for stepping forward to assist with the arrest and call the Police for assistance. He demonstrated civic-mindedness in helping someone in need, and played his part to ensure Singapore’s safety and security.
Photo of gold chain recovered from the man’s possession ▼
Photo of folding knife, of 15.5cm in length, found in the man’s possession ▼
Superintendent Alvin Ong, Commanding Officer of Clementi Neighbourhood Police Centre, presenting the PSA to Mr Lee Yew Thye ▼
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
11 August 2025 @ 7:30 PM