Man, 69, with past criminal record, trespasses homes & steals 2 slippers worth S$40, gets 10 months' jail

A 69-year-old man trespassed into two private residential homes intending to steal cash and jewellery, but accidentally triggered the alarm when walking to another property.

Karis Bin Kasmond, who has a similar prior criminal record, stole two pairs of slippers and asked the judge to impose a harsh sentence.

He was sentenced to 10 months' jail after a total of seven charges were brought against him, including trespassing and theft, according to Shin Min Daily News.

The prosecution charged him with four counts, with the remaining offences taken into consideration during sentencing.

What happened

On Nov. 24, 2024, Karis took a bus from the Jalan Batu estate to the bus stop at the National University of Singapore.

He then walked towards the Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE), climbing down several ditches — including areas near the former Institute of Technical Education and the former Warren Golf Course and Country Club — before entering the private residential area of ​​Sandwich Road through a path.

Karis then entered a private house on Maidstone Road between 1am and 3:30am as the gate was unlocked.

However, as the main door of the house was locked, he proceeded to walk to the back and entered another private house through a small door.

He had stolen and worn a pair of white slippers on the lawn before walking towards another private house.

Triggered security alarm

When the alarm system was unexpectedly triggered and all the lights were turned on, Karis hid in another private residence before putting on another pair of black slippers and leaving the white slippers behind.

He then returned to the area near the former Warren Golf Course and Country Club and walked through the gutter towards the AYE, then back to the bus stop.

As he had walked through the gutter, Karis was soaked and changed into the clothes he had prepared in advance.

Police investigations later revealed that the man was involved in trespassing at private residences along the two roads, and he intended to steal cash and jewellery.

The prosecution highlighted his similar prior criminal record, for which he was sentenced to 14 years of preventive detention in 2010 for trespassing.

Top image via Google Maps