A 40-year-old Indonesian woman was arrested after she allegedly stole two bottles of facial care products worth S$736 from a duty-free store in the transit area of Changi Airport Terminal 3.
According to the Singapore Police Force (SPF), officers were alerted to a shop theft case on May 31 after products were discovered missing from The Shilla Duty Free outlet.
The incident was uncovered when a loss prevention officer reviewing closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage noticed a woman behaving suspiciously inside the store.
The woman was allegedly seen entering the shop and leaving shortly afterwards without making any purchases.
Missing Items Discovered During Checks
Following a review of the footage, store personnel conducted further checks and confirmed that two bottles of facial products were missing from the shelves.
A police report was subsequently lodged, prompting investigations by officers from the Airport Police Division.
Using CCTV footage and ground enquiries, investigators were able to establish the identity of the suspect.
Authorities moved quickly and managed to locate the woman before she was due to leave Singapore.
Arrested Before Boarding Flight
The suspect was arrested before her scheduled departure from Changi Airport.
Police also recovered the allegedly stolen items during the operation.
The woman is expected to be charged in court on Jun. 11 for theft in dwelling, an offence which carries a maximum penalty of up to seven years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both.
Police Warn Against Shop Theft
SPF said it takes a serious view of all shop theft offences and will not hesitate to take firm action against offenders.
The police added that they will continue working closely with retailers and airport stakeholders to detect, prevent and deter theft-related offences within Changi Airport.
With Singapore maintaining one of the world’s busiest aviation hubs, authorities have repeatedly emphasised the importance of security measures and surveillance systems in safeguarding businesses operating within airport transit areas.
Investigations into the case are ongoing.