A Vietnamese eatery in Geylang has appealed to the public after two religious statues placed inside the restaurant allegedly went missing within the span of just a few days. The incident has sparked discussion among netizens, particularly due to the speed and apparent brazenness of the act, which was caught on closed-circuit television cameras.
According to the restaurant’s management, the missing items include an Earth God statue and a God of Wealth statue, both of which were displayed on a small altar within the premises. The owner only became aware of the situation after noticing that the God of Wealth statue had disappeared, prompting a review of CCTV footage from earlier days.
Footage shared online appears to show a man entering the restaurant close to its closing time. He was seen approaching the altar, pausing briefly, and then placing one of the statues into a bag before calmly walking out. The entire sequence reportedly took less than 30 seconds, raising concerns about security in small food and beverage outlets.
How the alleged theft unfolded
The restaurant owner explained that the alleged incident took place late in the evening, shortly before staff typically begin closing procedures. At that time, employees would usually be occupied with cleaning duties or preparing to shut the outlet for the night, which may have allowed the suspect to act without drawing immediate attention.
Although one staff member noticed the man inside the restaurant, she did not find his behaviour suspicious at the time. It was only after the altar was found to be incomplete that the situation became clear. Upon reviewing earlier recordings, the owner realised that the Earth God statue might have been taken days earlier under similar circumstances.
Further checks revealed footage of the same individual dining at the restaurant with a companion. During that visit, he reportedly requested seating near the altar and appeared to pay close attention to the statues throughout the meal. This sequence of events led the owner to believe that both statues were taken by the same person.
Emotional and spiritual significance for the owner
The owner later shared that the statues were not merely decorative items. They were gifts from close friends during the restaurant’s opening years ago and held deep emotional and spiritual value. The staff had been praying to the statues daily, viewing them as symbols of protection, prosperity and good fortune for the business.
Photos comparing the altar before and after the incident were also circulated, clearly showing the absence of the statues. These images further fuelled online conversations about respect for religious items and the importance of safeguarding personal property in public spaces.
Despite the circumstances, the owner initially chose not to lodge a police report. She expressed hope that the individual involved would return the statues voluntarily. However, she indicated that a report may be made if the items are not returned within a specified period.
Concerns over security and small business protection
The case has highlighted broader issues faced by small businesses in Singapore, particularly those operating late into the night. Many eateries rely on basic security systems and trust that customers will respect shared spaces. Incidents like this raise questions about whether additional measures, such as improved surveillance or insurance coverage, may be necessary.
For business owners, especially those in the food and beverage sector, the emotional loss can be just as significant as the financial one. Religious statues, altars and other cultural items often carry personal meaning that cannot be replaced by compensation alone.
As discussions continue online, many have urged anyone with information to step forward. The incident serves as a reminder that even seemingly small acts can have a deep impact on individuals and small businesses trying to make an honest living in Singapore’s competitive environment.