Man snatches gold chain from woman after trying to chat her up, arrested near Woodlands Checkpoint

A 45-year-old man was arrested for his suspected involvement in a case of snatch theft on June 20, said the police.

The police were alerted at about 9.42pm to a case of snatch theft along Jellicoe Road involving a 76-year-old woman.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the man had identified the vulnerable victim and tried to strike up a conversation with her before allegedly snatching her gold chain with a pendant, valued at approximately $1,000. He then fled.

No injuries were reported.

Through ground enquiries and close coordination, officers from the Central Police Division and Immigration and Checkpoints Authority reviewed relevant CCTV footages and shared resources, leading to the identification of the man and establishing his whereabouts in under 2½ hours.

The man was subsequently arrested on June 22 at Woodlands Crossing near the checkpoint.

He was to be charged in court on Saturday (June 24) with the offence of using criminal force in committing theft of property carried by a person, which carries an imprisonment term of not less than one year and not more than seven years and caning.

The police advise that when confronted with a snatch theft, you should remain calm, take note of the physical appearance and distinctive features of the perpetrator, and call for the police as soon as possible.