Man poses as NEA officer conducting check, robs Bukit Batok homeowner of over $110k possession

A man and his accomplices posed as National Environment Agency (NEA) officers conducting a check for mosquitoes at a Bukit Batok semi-D terrace, before robbing the homeowner of over $110,000 worth of possessions back on Sep 22, 2010.

The man, Khoo Wei Chyi, 42, subsequently fled the country but was arrested in Indonesia six years later and extradited to Singapore, where he was sentenced to 4 years 9 months’ jail and 6 strokes of the cane on Tuesday (Nov 7). 

Khoo was charged with his alleged involvement in a case of armed robbery at a semi-D terrace in Bukit Batok and fleeing the country while on bail.

Court documents revealed that Khoo had worked with 4 other accomplices to pose as NEA officers, reports Lianhe Wanbao.

The five of them told the owner that they were conducting a check in the semi-D premises to see if there were mosquitoes breeding grounds and fog the compounds.

However, after gaining entry into the house, Khoo threatened the 42-year-old owner, her 9-year-old daughter and the maid with a knife and tied the trio up with cable ties.

He told the three that they 'just wanted money'. 

Khoo and his gang proceeded to open two safes with tools such as crowbars and fled with $112,792 worth of loot.

He was subsequently arrested by the police and was out on a bail.

Khoo was scheduled for a hearing on July 2011, but was absent on the day and could not be contacted. 

His passport was impounded but he managed to escape the country with the help of a smuggling syndicate, which he had paid $5,000. 

Khoo hid in Indonesia for the following six years, until he was arrested on Jan 2017 by the local police for overstaying in Batam. 

After serving his sentence in Indonesia, he was extradited to Singapore in April 2017 for his trial, where he faced charges of armed robbery and breaching travel restrictions. 

Khoo's accomplices had each been sentenced to 3 years’ jail and 6 strokes of the cane.