Chinese national allegedly stole S$169 from bag in overhead compartment on KL to S'pore flight

Two male Chinese nationals, aged 35 and 40, have been arrested for allegedly committing theft onboard a flight from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to Singapore.

Police received a call for assistance on Jun. 2 2025, at about 8.50pm.

According to a police statement, the 35-year-old man was observed rummaging through and removing contents from another female passenger's bag in the overhead compartment by a nearby couple, who continued to monitor him until the flight landed as they deemed the man's actions suspicious.

It was only upon seeing the female passenger retrieve the bag after the flight landed that the couple realised that the man was not the owner, and notified the woman.

They then reported the incident to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and Police.

The 35-year-old man and a 40-year-old man believed to be his accomplice were arrested at a lounge in the transit area of Changi Terminal 1 within an hour of the report, after he was identified with the help of CCTV footage.

S$169 worth of allegedly stolen cash was found on the 40-year-old man, while two debit cards belonging to the victim were found discarded in a rubbish bin.

Both men will be charged in court on Jun. 4, 2025 for theft with common intention, and could face up to three years imprisonment, a fine, or both.

Top image by SPF