Man arrested for attempting to steal bag in business class luggage compartment on S'pore-bound plane

A 25-year-old Chinese national was arrested on Aug. 8 at Changi Airport for suspected involvement in a case of theft on board an aircraft.

Business class

The incident occurred aboard a plane that was travelling from Dubai to Singapore, in its Business Class cabin.

According to a police news release, preliminary investigations showed that the man had attempted to take a bag from an overhead storage compartment while its owner was asleep.

The man was spotted by the victim’s wife, who proceeded to question him, prompting the man to return the bag to the overhead compartment. She then proceeded to let her husband know about the incident.

The alleged thief was questioned by police officers from the Airport Police Department after the plane landed at Changi Airport.

During the questioning, the man was unable to provide a satisfactory explanation for what he did, and was arrested before he boarded his next scheduled flight.

Charged for theft

The man will be changed in court on Aug. 10 for the offence of theft, under Section 379 of the Penal Code 1871, read with Section 3 of the Tokyo Convention Act 1971.

The Tokyo Convention Act is an international treaty which governs the conduct of airline passengers and applies to any acts that endanger the safety of people or property on board civilian aircraft.

The Singapore Police Force reminds members of the public to protect themselves against crime on board aircraft.

The SPF advises members of the public to keep valuables or cash on their person, rather than placing them in overhead luggage compartments, as well as to be wary of passengers opening overhead compartments, retrieving baggage, and rummaging through them while in flight.

It also advises passengers to alert members of the cabin crew should they witness such suspicious behaviour.

Top image via changiairport.com