An Indian man stole items worth approximately ₹3.5 lakh from several shops at Singapore’s Jewel Changi Airport before flying out of the country. The 38-year-old Indian national targeted 14 shops at the airport, stealing bags, cosmetics and perfumes before casually boarding his flight.
He was arrested upon his return to Singapore on June 1, said the Singapore Police Force (SPF) in a press release on July 23.
How the theft was discovered
The man allegedly nicked the items from shops in Jewel Changi Airport and in the transit area of Changi Airport. His thefts were discovered after a retail shop discovered that a bag from the store was missing. It was the shop’s retail supervisor who discovered that the bag was missing during a stock-taking exercise.
Police say they were alerted to the theft at around 4:28pm on May 29. The complainant said that a bag had gone missing from inside the shop located at Jewel Changi Airport.
When police checked the surveillance camera footage, they saw the accused taking the bag and leaving the shop without paying.
{{/usCountry}}When police checked the surveillance camera footage, they saw the accused taking the bag and leaving the shop without paying.
{{/usCountry}}Police were able to successfully establish his identity. However, the Indian national had already left Singapore by that time.
The arrest
He was arrested when he returned to the country on June 1. Officers from the airport police division intercepted the accused during transit and checked his bags. They found several unaccounted items in his luggage.
The man is expected to be charged on July 25 with theft and fraudulent possession of property.
Further investigation revealed that the 38-year-old Indian had stolen items from 13 other shops at the airport. The stolen items were worth an estimated S$5,136 ( ₹3.5 lakh approximately).
If found guilty, he faces seven years in jail, or a fine, or both.
(Also read: Singapore woman Jane Lee dies day after explosive posts accusing Indian worker of faking injury for money)