2 teens, 1 armed with knife, allegedly tried to cover man's head with plastic bag & steal luxury watch at Clementi

The sale of a luxury watch at a Clementi Housing and Development Board (HDB) block went awry on May 28, when the two buyers allegedly tried to cover the seller's head with a plastic bag.

The victim managed to escape and call the police.

Tried to rob luxury watch seller in Clementi

Police said that on May 28 at about 1:44pm, they received a call for assistance at Block 432 Clementi Avenue 3.

The victim, who had listed a luxury watch for sale on Carousell, had arranged to meet a potential buyer of the watch

However, when the victim arrived, the teens allegedly tried to cover his head with a plastic bag.

One of them was armed with a knife at the time.

However, the victim managed to escape and called the police.

Officers from Clementi Police Division identified the suspects through follow-up investigations and arrested them the same day.

Police also seized a knife which had been discarded by the teens.

Attempted robbery at same block

Police investigations revealed that the two men, along with another two men, had allegedly attempted a similar robbery on May 27.

The four teens were aged between 17 and 19.

In that incident, the victim had also listed a luxury watch for sale on Carousell and was similarly lured to meet a potential buyer at the same HDB block

However, when the victim arrived, he felt suspicious of the circumstances and left.

The other two men were also arrested on May 28.

Charged on May 30

The two men involved in the May 28 incident will be charged with attempted armed robbery on May 30.

One of the other men involved in the May 27 incident will be charged on May 30 with attempted robbery.

The last man will be investigated for being part of a criminal conspiracy to commit robbery.

Police advised members of the public to be alert and attentive to their surroundings when meeting potential buyers or sellers, or making transactions in person.

This is especially important when carrying valuables or large sums of cash, said police.

Members of the public should avoid going to secluded places and report any suspicious persons or activities to the police immediately.

Top image from Google Street View/ Canva