Australian man, 45, stole nearly S$3,500 worth of items at Changi Airport, gets 10 days' jail

An Australian man, 45-year-old Aaron Gary Slater, was sentenced in court on Oct. 31 to 10 days' jail after pleading guilty to three charges of theft.

According to The Straits Times, Slater was in transit at Terminal 2 of Changi Airport on Sep. 2, having flown in from Melbourne and was  waiting to board a flight to Maldives.

During his layover, he shoplifted almost S$3,500 worth of items from several retail outlets.

Stole a luggage from Tumi

At around 7:30pm that day, Slater first entered Tumi, an American brand known for high-end travel bags and accessories, where he stole a blue luggage worth S$1,045 from the shelf, and walked out without paying.

However, his actions were captured on the store's closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage.

According to court documents seen by Mothership, Slater went on to steal several other items, including:

• Two pairs of Oakley sunglasses worth S$733.03 in total
• One pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses worth S$365.14
• One pink Victoria's Secret pyjamas set worth S$113
• One light-brown Adidas bag worth S$81.65
• One Starbucks tumbler worth S$52.90

He also stole a luggage tag, five bracelets, and a Hard Rock Cafe cap.

His thefts came to light after a sales assistant at the Ray-Ban store reported it.

Slater was subsequently apprehended by airport security in the departure transit area, with the stolen items found in his possession.

Not his first time shoplifting in Singapore

According to ST, investigations revealed that Slater had previously shoplifted at Changi Airport on Jul. 28, while he was in transit.

Then, he took a black Tumi sling bag worth over S$606 from a display shelf.

A store employee saw what he did and managed to retrieve the bag after chasing and confronting him, and no police report was made.

Slater also stole a Victoria's Secret passport cover valued at S$42 at the same transit area back on Mar. 16, 2024.

Slater's defence lawyer had initially requested a lighter sentence of three days' imprisonment, saying that Slater "has been stuck in Singapore with no family support", and that he "has not been able to work during this period".

Those who are convicted of theft in dwelling can face a maximum penalty of of seven years' imprisonment and a fine.

Top photos via Changi Airport Group and Mothership