3 caught behaving suspiciously around church, charged for trying to steal from donation boxes

Three men were arrested after they were reported behaving suspiciously in the compound of the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Friday (Sept 8).

Chinese nationals Zou Fangshou, 32, Qin Xiaonuo, 29, and Qin Chaoban, 38, were charged on Saturday with attempted theft in dwelling with common intention from donation boxes in the Upper Serangoon Road church.

The police had received a report about the trio on Sept 8 at 1.27pm.

With the aid of images from CCTV, officers from Ang Mo Kio Police Division established the identities of the three and arrested them along Syed Alwi Road.

Preliminary investigations revealed that they are believed to be involved in other similar cases of theft in dwelling.

The offence carries an imprisonment term of up to seven years and a fine.

Their cases are expected to be heard on Sept 15.