6 arrested for shop theft at Plaza Sing and City Square Mall, 137 items including branded apparels seized

Two men and four women, aged between 27 and 35, were arrested on Tuesday (Sep 18) for their suspected involvement in a series of shop theft at Plaza Singapura and City Square Mall.

On Sunday (Sep 16), the police received a report from a retailer at Plaza Singapura that items had been stolen from a store.

Through ground enquiries and follow-up investigations, the suspects were subsequently identified and arrested at Changi Airport by officers from the Tanglin Police Division.

More than 137 items, including branded apparels, that are believed to have been stolen, were recovered. The items are estimated to have a total value of $700.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the six suspects belonged to a foreign crime syndicate and had targeted stores at Plaza Singapura and City Square Mall.

Five of the suspects will be charged in court on Sep 20 with theft in dwelling with common intention. If convicted, they shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years and shall also be liable to a fine.

The sixth suspect will be charged with fraudulent possession of property. If convicted, he is liable to a fine up to $3,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or both.

In a statement issued on Wednesday (Sep 19), the police would like to remind retailers to remain vigilant against shop thieves, especially when large crowds are expected.

Retailers are advised to adopt the following measures:

• Ensure a good line of sight of the displays by using an appropriate shop layout;

• Display advisory posters or signage against shop theft;

• Display expensive merchandise in locked showcases or at prominent locations (e.g. near cashier counters);

• Install CCTVs with recording system at the entrance/exit of the store to capture the facial features of shoppers, and;

• Deploy adequate security personnel to patrol the premises in luminous vests for increased visual deterrence effect.