Two Chinese men who entered Singapore under social visit passes have each been sentenced to 15 months in prison after they were found guilty of breaking into private homes and stealing over S$16,000 worth of valuables.
The culprits, 38-year-old Feng Yunlong and 52-year-old Zhang Yongxiang, were charged with two counts of housebreaking each. Both pleaded guilty to one charge on 24 June 2025, with the second charge taken into consideration during sentencing at the State Courts.
Housebreaking in Holland Road’s Greenleaf View
The first incident occurred on the night of 16 December 2024 at Greenleaf View, a private residential estate off Holland Road. Just three days after entering Singapore on 13 December, the two men had been scouting the neighbourhood for potential targets.
According to court documents, Zhang entered the targeted property from an adjacent unit that was under renovation. He first took a pair of gloves to avoid leaving fingerprints, then climbed up to the third floor and accessed the home through an unlocked window. Meanwhile, Feng kept watch outside, reported Lianhe Zaobao.
Inside, Zhang used a torchlight to search the rooms and eventually pocketed two wristwatches from a TV console — one being a Cartier Roadster worth S$8,800, and the other a Casio Edifice valued at S$150. They then quietly left the scene.
Surveillance Footage Leads to Swift Arrests
The homeowner, who was away during the incident, lodged a police report after returning home to find the property ransacked. Investigators quickly reviewed CCTV footage in and around the premises and identified the two suspects.
Police arrested both men on 18 December. Further investigations revealed that on the same day, the duo also trespassed into another private home at Zehnder Road in the Buona Vista area. They allegedly climbed into the house and stole more than S$7,000 worth of items, including over S$1,000 in cash and a black Hermès Kelly wallet valued at S$5,000.
No Lawyers, Only Regret
Neither Feng nor Zhang engaged legal representation. They both pleaded for leniency, expressing regret and stating they hoped for an early release to return home and care for their families.
Feng shared that his father had passed away and his elderly mother was living alone. Zhang said his household had both the elderly and young dependents with no one else to look after them.
However, the judge questioned their motives, asking why they came to Singapore if their families needed care. Zhang replied that he had initially come to look for work but committed the crime due to greed.
This case highlights growing concerns about foreigners misusing social visit passes in Singapore. The authorities remain firm in prosecuting such offences, especially when they involve premeditated theft in residential areas. The Singapore Police Force has reiterated that it will act swiftly to protect residents and uphold the nation’s law and order.
Image Source: Lianhe Zaobao