In a daring attempt to fund his living expenses and support his family back in Vietnam, 22-year-old Vietnamese university student Le Viet Hoang took desperate measures, breaking into offices at Apple and the Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*Star) to steal items for resale, according to TODAY.
The elaborate scheme ultimately led to his arrest when he returned some of the stolen Apple products, inadvertently triggering an alarm.
A Tale of Desperation
Le Viet Hoang, in Singapore for an internship with AStar as an assistant researcher, found himself financially strained. Determined to ease his burdens, he hatched a plan to steal items from both AStar and Apple offices.
Starting his internship on May 22, 2023, Hoang had access to A*Star’s offices, working late into the night. Recognizing the absence of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, he exploited the opportunity to move undetected.
Between June 1 and July 30, Hoang systematically stole laptops, tablets, and computer accessories from A*Star offices on levels nine and ten. He even learned lock-picking to access secured areas containing more valuable items.
In July, Hoang targeted Apple’s offices, cognizant of the higher resale value of their products. A building-wide power shutdown provided the cover he needed to break into Apple’s offices on level four, making away with iPads, iPhones, and accessories.
Guilt and Capture
As his internship neared its end, guilt began to consume Hoang. Faced with remorse, he decided to return some stolen items to Apple, triggering an alarm during his covert mission.
Mr. Pusparaj Pantiyan, a vigilant security officer patrolling level six of the Innovis Building, responded to the alarm. Spotting Hoang under a table on level four with the returned iPads and charging cables, Mr. Pusparaj promptly called the police.
Legal Consequences
Hoang faced the consequences of his actions in court, pleading guilty to multiple charges, including housebreaking and theft. The court sentenced him to 11 months’ jail, taking into consideration six other similar charges.
While Hoang made full restitution to A*Star for the items sold, the incident shines a light on the challenges faced by individuals navigating financial difficulties, often resorting to desperate measures.