A 92-year-old man was robbed in the wee hours of March 5 morning at Jalan Enam.

Robbery near Old Airport Road Food Centre

According to Chinese evening daily, Lianhe Wanbao, the 92-year-old school cleaner was on his way to work when he was attacked and robbed by a 51-year-old man wearing a pitta mask.

The 51-year-old perpetrator hit the 92-year-old victim at the back of his neck with a wooden rod and snatched the victim's wallet which contained S$1,200.

Wanbao understands that that huge amount of cash was supposedly the old man's salary and he was a resident in the vicinity.

The victim suffered minor injuries and a colleague accompanied him to report the case to the police later that morning.

Arrested within 17 hours

According to the police news release, the 51-year-old was captured in 17 hours after they received a report at around 8:10am on March 5.

Through ground enquiries and with the aid of images from police cameras and closed-circuit television footage, officers from Bedok Police Division established the identity of the man and arrested him along Cassia Crescent on March 6, 2020.

The 51-year-old man was charged in court yesterday (March 8) with the offence of robbery with hurt under Section 394 of the Penal Code, Chapter 224.

He may face a jail term of five to 20 years, and caning with no less than 12 strokes.

Wanted to hide behind his mask

Deputy Assistant Commissioner of Police Julius Lim, Commander of Bedok Police Division, said that the perpetrator might have thought that he could get away by wearing the black pitta mask but he was wrong and the police found him within 17 hours.

Lim said:

“The accused might have thought that he could wear a pitta mask to conceal his identity while carrying out the robbery but he was wrong. With great resolve and resourcefulness, the Bedok Police Division officers were able to establish his identity and arrest him within 17 hours.”

Top photos via Google Maps and courtesy of SPF