48-year-old man charged with armed robbery of Upper Bukit Timah Rd Shell petrol kiosk

A 48-year-old man was charged today (Aug 2) for the armed robbery of a Shell petrol kiosk at Upper Bukit Timar Road.

Visvanathan Vadivelu had allegedly armed himself with a knife and ordered a 22-year-old female staff member to place money from the cash register into a plastic bag on Monday (Jul 31).

He then fled the scene on a motor scooter with more than $1,100 in stolen cash.

The police were alerted to the incident on 12.50pm that day.

He was arrested on the within four hours at around 4.50pm at Jurong East Street 21 by officers from the Clementi Police Division.

They were able to Visvanathan's identity based on information provided by witnesses, including customers and staff from the petrol kiosk.

Bank receipts, $499 in cash, and a motor scooter belonging to a member of Visvanathan's family were seized as evidence.

Senior Assistant Commissioner Gerald Lim, who is commander of the Clementi Police Division said that this is the first case of robbery of a petrol kiosk cashier in 10 years.

According to The Straits Times, Visvanathan, who is unrepresented, will be remanded at the Central Police Division. The case has been adjourned to Aug 8.

If convicted of armed robbery, he can be jailed for up to 10 years and given at least 12 strokes of the cane.