A 77-year-old man allegedly took around S$200 from a donation bowl at a temple along Changi Road before bowing to the deity statue and leaving the premises.
The incident reportedly happened at about 1pm on Aug. 28 at Hoon Sian Keng Temple, located at 82 Changi Road.
According to Shin Min Daily News, the elderly man spent less than five minutes inside the temple during the incident.
CCTV captured alleged theft
The temple’s chairman, Chen Jingliang, 34, said three staff members were at the premises when the incident took place.
Two caretakers were occupied with cleaning around the main altar, while the temple’s secretary was carrying out administrative duties in an office. None of them reportedly noticed the man taking the money.
CCTV footage later showed the man approaching a deity statue and reaching into the donation bowl placed in front of it.
After allegedly taking the money, he reportedly bowed towards the statue before leaving the temple.
Temple chairman suspects he had visited before
Chen said the temple staff did not recognise the man and had not noticed him there previously.
However, after reviewing the CCTV footage, he suspected that the man could have visited the temple beforehand to familiarise himself with the surroundings.
Chen noted that the man’s movements appeared quick and that he seemed to know where to go, although this remains his personal suspicion rather than an established fact.
The entire incident reportedly lasted less than five minutes.
Money was taken from donation bowl
The temple has four designated donation boxes, but the man allegedly did not take money from any of them.
Instead, the money was reportedly taken from the bowl placed directly in front of the deity statue.
Chen explained that devotees commonly place coins and notes into such bowls after making a wish or offering prayers.
The temple would usually collect the money from the bowls at the end of the day before transferring it into the main donation boxes.
Around S$200 reportedly missing
The temple estimated that approximately S$200 was taken in the incident.
While the amount may not be substantial compared with larger theft cases, Chen said the temple decided to make the incident public in the hope of raising awareness.
He also said that people may face various difficulties in life, but taking money from a place of worship is still inappropriate.
The temple has since highlighted the incident as a reminder to remain vigilant even when staff members are present on the premises.
77-year-old man assisting police
The Singapore Police Force said it received a call for assistance at the temple at around 2:20pm on Aug. 28.
A 77-year-old man is currently assisting with police investigations.
The investigation remains ongoing, and the man’s involvement in the alleged theft has not been established in court.