A 45-year-old Australian man has been arrested for allegedly shoplifting from multiple retail outlets within Changi Airport’s transit area, with stolen items worth more than S$2,600 recovered from his possession.
Caught Within an Hour of First Report
The case first came to light on 2 September 2025, when a retail assistant at Changi Airport Terminal 2 noticed that a pair of sunglasses had gone missing from the display shelf. After reviewing CCTV footage, the staff discovered a man taking the sunglasses without making payment and promptly alerted the police at around 7.40pm.
Within an hour, officers managed to establish the man’s identity and detained him within the transit area, preventing him from leaving Singapore. Further checks revealed that the suspect had allegedly entered eight different shops, where he took items ranging from sunglasses and bags to a luggage case, passport holder, water bottle, keychains and other accessories.
Facing Charges in Court
Police confirmed that all the items, valued at more than S$2,600, were recovered. The Australian will face charges in court on 26 September 2025 for theft in dwelling, an offence that carries a maximum sentence of seven years’ jail, a fine, or both.
The incident underscores Singapore’s strict stance on theft, especially in sensitive areas such as airports, where security and trust are paramount. Authorities also reminded the public that all forms of theft are treated seriously and offenders will be dealt with firmly under the law.