A 38-year-old Indian national is now facing multiple charges in Singapore after allegedly stealing thousands of dollars’ worth of merchandise from Changi Airport and Jewel Changi Airport before fleeing the country. He was apprehended by airport police when he re-entered Singapore on 1 June.
The suspect is believed to have taken items from 14 different retail stores, including those in the transit areas of Changi’s terminals. According to the Singapore Police Force (SPF), he is accused of making off with approximately S$5,136 worth of goods — which included perfumes, cosmetics, and bags — without paying.
Alleged Theft Detected After Bag Went Missing
The case first came to light on 29 May when a retail outlet at Jewel Changi Airport reported a missing bag around 4:28pm. A supervisor had noticed the item was unaccounted for during routine stock-taking. Subsequent checks of CCTV footage revealed a man removing the bag from the store without payment.
Although the suspect’s identity was established shortly after the footage was reviewed, he had already left Singapore by then, prompting further investigation.
Arrest Made When Suspect Returned to Changi
Barely days later, the man was intercepted during a transit stop at Changi Airport on 1 June. Officers from the airport police division conducted a search of his belongings and discovered multiple items suspected to have been stolen. Upon further checks, authorities confirmed that the goods were allegedly taken from 13 additional stores across both Jewel and the airport’s terminals.
The total value of the stolen merchandise was estimated at over S$5,000. All items were recovered from the suspect’s possession.
Facing Multiple Charges in Court
The man is scheduled to be charged in court on 25 July. He faces 13 counts of theft in dwelling — an offence that carries a jail term of up to seven years, a fine, or both. Additionally, he is facing one count of fraudulent possession of property, which could result in up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both.
Heightened Airport Security and Legal Consequences
This case serves as a stark reminder that while Singapore maintains one of the world’s most efficient and secure airports, crimes such as shop theft do occur — and the authorities remain highly vigilant. Changi Airport’s extensive surveillance system, coupled with swift police action, ensured the suspect was brought to justice within days of the alleged crime.
Shop thefts at high-traffic travel hubs like airports can result in serious consequences. Offenders risk long jail terms, heavy fines, and being flagged by immigration authorities. With Singapore’s zero-tolerance approach to crime and its high standards of public safety, such offences are treated with utmost seriousness.
This incident may also lead to retailers at Changi Airport tightening internal security and stock auditing processes, particularly in transit and duty-free areas where international traffic is dense and harder to monitor.