A 56-year-old British man has been arrested after he was allegedly linked to a series of shop thefts at Changi Airport, with police recovering stolen items worth more than S$1,200 before he could board his departing flight.
The arrest came after officers from the Airport Police Division responded swiftly to a report of a theft at Terminal 3, tracking down the suspect in just over an hour.
According to the Singapore Police Force, officers were alerted at about 9.22pm on July 16 to an alleged shop theft at The Shilla Cosmetics & Perfumes outlet in the transit area of Changi Airport Terminal 3.
Retail staff reportedly noticed that an item from a Chanel display shelf was missing. After reviewing CCTV footage, they allegedly saw a man taking the item before leaving the shop without making payment.
Suspect detained before departure
Police said they quickly established the identity of the suspect through ground enquiries and CCTV footage.
The man was detained in the transit area before he could board his departing flight, just over an hour after the report was made.
Further investigations allegedly revealed that he had also stolen items from five other retail outlets across Changi Airport Terminals 2 and 3.
The stolen items reportedly included:
- Perfumes
- Keychains
- A bracelet
All of the recovered items were found in the man’s possession, with their combined value exceeding S$1,200.
To be charged in court
The British national is scheduled to be charged in court on July 18 with theft in dwelling under Section 380 of the Penal Code 1871.
If convicted, he faces:
- Up to seven years’ imprisonment
- A fine
- Or both
The Singapore Police Force reiterated that it takes shop theft seriously and said offenders will be dealt with firmly in accordance with the law.
Police also said they will continue working closely with airport stakeholders and the wider community to prevent and deter shop theft incidents.