A 45-year-old man allegedly snatched a 76-year-old elderly woman’s gold chain worth an estimated $1,000 from her neck at a HDB block at Block 815 Jellicoe Road on 20 June at about 8.47pm.
He was subsequently arrested near the Woodlands Checkpoint after being identified and tracked down through ground enquiries and close coordination with the Police Operations Command Centre and ICA.
He was subsequently charged in court on 24 June with the use of Criminal Force in Committing Theft of Property Carried by a Person under Section 356 of the Penal Code 1871.
Singapore Police and ICA’s joint statement
Man Arrested for Snatch Theft
1. The Police have arrested a 45-year-old man for his suspected involvement in a case of snatch theft.
2. On 20 June 2023 at about 9.42pm, the Police were alerted to a case of snatch theft along Jellicoe Road involving an elderly 76-year-old woman. Preliminary investigations revealed that the man had identified the vulnerable victim and tried to strike a conversation with her, before allegedly snatching her gold chain with pendant, valued approximately at $1000, and fled. No injuries were reported.
3. Through ground enquiries and close coordination with the Police Operations Command Centre and the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA), officers from the Central Police Division and ICA collaborated seamlessly, reviewing relevant CCTV footages and shared resources, leading to the successful identification of the man, and established his whereabouts in under 2.5 hours.
4. The man was subsequently arrested on 22 June 2023 along Woodlands Crossing. He will be charged in Court on 24 June 2023 with the offence of Criminal Force in Committing Theft of Property Carried by a Person under Section 356 of the Penal Code 1871. The offence carries an imprisonment term of not less than one year and not more than seven years and caning.
5. The authorities will spare no effort to arrest those who commit violent crimes. When confronted with a snatch theft, members of the public are advised to remain calm, take note of the physical appearance and distinctive features of the perpetrator, and call for the Police as soon as possible.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
23 JUNE 2023