Masked Man Caught After Using Plastic Rod to Fish Cash From Singapore Temple Donation Boxes
A 55-year-old man has been arrested after allegedly breaking into a temple in Singapore’s Bedok North and using an improvised tool to steal cash from donation boxes during the early hours of the morning.
According to Singapore Police Force investigations, officers from Bedok Police Division responded to a report of theft at a temple along Bedok North Avenue 3. Through CCTV footage and police camera images, investigators quickly identified the suspect and arrested him within three hours of the report being made.
Police also recovered S$290 in cash believed to be connected to the incident.
The suspect is accused of entering the temple compound between approximately 1.50am and 3.20am on Friday with the intention of stealing money from two donation boxes. Court documents allege that around S$300 was targeted during the break-in.
CCTV Installed After Thousands Went Missing
Temple representatives revealed that they had not initially realised anything was wrong. However, after noticing that more than S$3,000 had gradually disappeared from the donation boxes and discovering a discarded plastic rod nearby, they decided to install temporary CCTV cameras ahead of schedule.
Their decision paid off almost immediately.
The newly installed surveillance system reportedly captured the suspect in the act, allowing temple staff to alert the police with clear evidence.
The temple is currently undergoing renovation works and had intended to install permanent security cameras later in the project. However, the unexplained losses prompted management to bring forward the installation.
Plastic Rod And Sticky Tape Used To Retrieve Notes
Footage provided by the temple allegedly shows the masked individual using a long plastic rod fitted with what appears to be a piece of card attached with double-sided adhesive tape.
The man repeatedly inserted the rod through the narrow slot of the donation box, carefully adjusting its angle in an apparent attempt to stick banknotes onto the adhesive before pulling them back out.
At one stage, he reportedly switched from the plastic rod to a length of string while continuing his efforts to retrieve cash.
Temple officials said the suspect appeared calm throughout the incident, moving around the premises, opening nearby cabinets and walking behind the building without showing signs of panic.
Of the temple’s three donation boxes, two featured wider openings to allow worshippers to deposit red packets during festive occasions. Those two boxes were allegedly targeted, while the third remained untouched because its opening was too narrow for the method to work.
Following the incident, temple management said they plan to reduce the size of the openings on the affected donation boxes to improve security and prevent similar thefts in future.
Temple Previously Targeted By Thieves
This is not the first time the temple has fallen victim to criminals.
In July 2023, burglars reportedly stole a 200kg safe while the temple was undergoing renovation. At the time, the safe had been placed outside under a temporary shelter, and caretakers later discovered both the safe missing and a metal donation box forced open.
Police arrested a 52-year-old suspect two days after that incident and recovered the stolen safe, a trolley believed to have been used during the theft, and S$90 in cash.
Authorities are continuing their investigations into the latest case. Preliminary findings suggest the 55-year-old suspect may also be linked to two earlier break-ins at the same temple that had not previously been reported to police. Those incidents allegedly resulted in combined losses of approximately S$1,965.
Image: Shin Min Daily News/ Singapore Police Force