A 61-year-old Singaporean man has admitted to quietly stealing hundreds of women’s undergarments over a prolonged five-year period, after being caught during a pre-dawn incident in Bukit Batok Central. The case, which unfolded in court this week, sheds light on how repeated petty thefts can go unnoticed for years before a single encounter exposes the full scale of the wrongdoing.
The offences only surfaced when a resident confronted the man at around 4.20am in May 2025. What initially appeared to be suspicious loitering along a Housing Board corridor quickly escalated into a police matter that revealed a long-running pattern of theft involving 320 items.
The accused, identified as Dennis Kwek, pleaded guilty to one count under the Miscellaneous Offences (Public Order and Nuisance) Act. He is scheduled to be sentenced in April.
Pre-Dawn Suspicion Led To Arrest
Court documents revealed that a resident heard unusually light footsteps outside his flat and stepped out to investigate. He saw the accused walking along the corridor dressed in dark clothing and a face covering.
When the man realised he had been spotted, he attempted to flee. The resident pursued him and managed to detain him. Upon closer inspection, the resident noticed the suspect’s pockets were visibly stuffed.
Six pairs of women’s underwear and four bras were found on him at the scene. Police were called in, and officers later escorted him back to his home, where seven separate bags containing another 310 undergarments were discovered.
Investigations established that the items had been taken from various locations over a five-year period.
Court Hears Of Alcohol-Related Impulse Issues
During proceedings, the prosecution stated that the accused had been diagnosed with alcohol use disorder by the Institute of Mental Health. He reportedly experienced strong urges to steal women’s underwear after consuming alcohol.
At the time of his arrest, he was employed as an airline security guard. In court, he apologised and said he had stopped drinking following his arrest, claiming he has remained sober for 278 days. He also told the court that he joined a support group and has been attempting to rebuild his life after being ostracised by friends and family members.
The judge ordered that he undergo mandatory treatment and evaluation as part of his rehabilitation.
Under the relevant law, possession of items reasonably suspected to be stolen carries a penalty of up to one year’s imprisonment, a fine of up to S$3,000, or both. The case has prompted renewed discussion about mental health support, addiction treatment, and security within Singapore’s residential estates.