Scoot passenger allegedly steals over $30,000 on plane, another stops him from getting away

A man suspected of theft on a plane tried to get away and was stopped by Mr Richard Khoo Hye Koon.

The 52-year-old man, a Chinese national named Zhang Xiuqiang, was arrested and subsequently charged in court on Dec 18.

For assisting the police in the case, Mr Khoo was presented with the Public Spiritedness Award on Dec 26.

On Dec 16, a passenger on board a Scoot flight from Ho Chi Minh to Singapore discovered during disembarkation at Changi Airport that cash amounting to $930 and US$1,000 (S$1,300) was missing from his bag.

He was informed by another passenger that she had seen Zhang retrieving the said bag from the overhead compartment and rummaging through its contents during the flight.

At this point, Zhang was seen by Mr Khoo walking swiftly towards the aircraft’s exit.

Mr Khoo immediately stopped Zhang from leaving.

Through preliminary investigations by officers from the Airport Police Division, other potential victims were identified and all the missing money totalling about $31,000 was recovered.

The offence of theft carries an imprisonment term of up to three years, a fine or both.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner of Police Lee Liang Chye, the Deputy Commander of Airport Police Division who presented Mr Khoo with the award, said: “Airport Police will continue to work closely with the airlines to enhance cabin security and would like to advise members of public who are traveling overseas to remain vigilant against crime when they are onboard the aircraft.”

To protect yourselves from being victims of crime, adopt the following crime prevention measures:

• Keep your cash or valuables with you instead of placing them inside the overhead luggage compartments.
• Be wary of passengers who are seen opening up overhead compartments and retrieving baggage and rummaging through them during the flight.
• Alert the cabin crew immediately of such suspicious behaviour.