2 men arrested for housebreaking, caught within 6 hours, had over S$17,000 in cash & valuables

Two male Chinese nationals, aged 38 and 52, were arrested within six hours for their suspected involvement in two cases of housebreaking and theft near Holland Village and Pasir Panjang on Dec. 18, 2024.

The two were found to have cash and valuables on them amounting to more than S$17,370, police said in a Dec. 19 release.

Arrested in 6 hours

Assistant Commissioner of Police (AC) Serene Chiu told the media on Dec. 19 that the first case of housebreaking and theft happened at a private residential estate along Greenleaf View, near Holland Village, on Dec. 16.

It was subsequently reported to police on Dec. 18 at about 12:10pm.

After reviewing CCTV footage from the unit and police cameras in the area, police identified the two suspects.

They were arrested at a hotel along Joo Chiat Road at 6pm, within six hours of the report.

Police seized two watches worth about S$8,800, a branded pouch worth about S$5,000, an assortment of jewellery, and about S$3,570 in cash.

Investigations found that some of the seized valuables were related to a separate case of housebreaking and theft reported along Zehnder Road, at Pasir Panjang, at about 8:20pm.

Chiu said that the two suspects were believed to have broken into the Zehnder Road residence on Dec. 18, while police were already tracing them.

There are no indications that there are other suspects currently at large, she added.

Chiu said that based on preliminary investigations, the two men scaled the wall of the residences before climbing in through the windows.

She noted that this is a similar modus operandi (MO) to those used in previous housebreaking cases in Singapore this year.

Police have not ruled out the possibility that the thefts are related to the foreign syndicates linked to Chinese nationals that were reported from June to August 2024.

We have been stepping up security at private estates: Police

Police said in the release that since June, they have stepped up security measures at private residential estates, including installing more police cameras and having more frequent patrols.

Police have also issued crime prevention advisories to residents from these estates in the lead up to the holiday season.

Residents are encouraged to adopt crime prevention measures for their homes such as installing CCTVs and burglar alarms.

“We will spare no efforts to apprehend persons who enter Singapore to commit crime, and will deal with them sternly in accordance with the law”, Chiu said.

The two men will be charged in court on Dec. 20.

What to do to protect yourself

Those who encounter an intruder in their house or suspicious characters in the neighbourhood should remain calm and prioritise the safety of themselves and their families, police said.

When it is safe, witnesses should contact the police immediately.

If possible, one should try to remember details of the suspect's clothing, appearance or other distinguishing features.

If the suspect escapes, take note of their direction of escape and car registration plate number, if any.

Police also reminded residents to be vigilant and report suspicious persons lurking in residential estates to the police at '999'.

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Top image by Mothership