The tranquility of air travel was shattered for three passengers aboard Scoot flight TR305 from Ho Chi Minh City to Changi Airport on December 16.
Zhang Xiuqiang, a 52-year-old Chinese national, faces charges of allegedly stealing around S$31,000 (US$23,260) from fellow passengers during the journey, according to Channel NewsAsia.
The Alleged Theft Incidents
Zhang is accused of pilfering cash amounting to S$50 and 510 million Vietnamese dong (S$28,000) from a black haversack bag belonging to Tan Chin Kwang.
In a separate incident, Zhang allegedly took US$1,000 and S$930 from an envelope inside a grey bag belonging to Park Sanggu.
The third victim, Lim Janus, reportedly had S$600 and 3 million Vietnamese dong stolen from his backpack.
Legal Proceedings
Zhang Xiuqiang faced three counts of theft in a district court on December 18, under the Tokyo Convention Act for offenses committed on Singapore-controlled planes. The alleged thefts occurred between 9.30 am and 12.30 pm on the mentioned flight.
Zhang has been remanded for further investigations and is scheduled to return to court on December 22. The legal repercussions for his actions are significant, with the potential for severe penalties if convicted.
Potential Consequences
If found guilty of theft, Zhang could face up to three years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both for each charge. The severity of the alleged crime underscores the importance of addressing security concerns within the confines of an aircraft.