A 15-year-old male teenager was arrested for allegedly robbing another person at a convenience store in Tampines with a knife.
The robbery allegedly took place in the early hours of 18 September, and he purportedly made off with $827 in cash and cigarettes worth about $181.20.
Happened at Tampines Central Convenience Store
The crime unfolded at a convenience store located in Tampines Central.
On September 19, the Singapore Police Force received an alert regarding the incident, which took place at 5:36 am on the previous day.
Preliminary investigations revealed a terrifying scenario where the young boy reportedly used a knife to demand cash amounting to S$827 and cigarettes valued at S$181.20.
Arrest and Recovery: A Swift Resolution
Remarkably, within 10 hours of the crime, the authorities apprehended the young suspect. This swift response was made possible through ground enquiries and the use of images from police cameras and closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage.
Notably, law enforcement officers from the Bedok Police Division played a key role in this operation. During the arrest, the stolen cigarettes and a portion of the cash, amounting to S$30, were successfully recovered.
Facing the Consequences: Legal Ramifications
The legal implications for the 15-year-old are significant. On September 20, 2023, he is scheduled to be charged with armed robbery.
In Singapore, the offence of robbery carries severe penalties, including an imprisonment term ranging from three to 14 years and a mandatory minimum of 12 strokes of the cane.
These consequences serve as a stark reminder of the seriousness of such criminal acts and the commitment of the legal system to uphold justice.
Similar news
A ten-year-old boy was previously reported to have skipped school to take part in a high-profile robbery case in Hong Kong at a “VIP Station” watch store in Hong Kong’s Tsim Sha Tsui district on September 11, according to the South China Morning Post.
It has been reported that he was allegedly paid HK$5,000 (about S$870) to skip school and join the criminal escapade, according to HK01.
The young boy, standing at approximately 1.7 meters tall, concealed his school uniform with a jacket. During the heist, he shockingly wielded a knife and actively participated in the theft of luxury watches.
Closer to home, 2 men were arrested in Singapore 2 weeks ago for robbing a man along Tampines Street 22 and taking his wallet and phone, with the victim allegedly being assaulted in the process and sent to the hospital.