A 39-year-old man has been arrested following two alleged break-ins at separate eateries in Singapore, with over S$3,000 in cash reported stolen.
According to a media release from the Singapore Police Force on July 23, officers were first alerted to a suspected case of housebreaking and theft on June 23. The incident occurred at a food court located along Choa Chu Kang Street 51, where an estimated S$2,542 was reportedly taken.
The second break-in was reported on July 17, this time at a coffee shop situated along Gangsa Road. In that case, around S$800 in cash was believed to have been stolen.
Police Use CCTV to Track Down Suspect
Investigators managed to identify the suspect through extensive ground operations and the analysis of both police-installed and privately-owned CCTV footage. Surveillance cameras played a critical role in piecing together the man’s movements, leading to his arrest on July 22.
Authorities revealed that the suspect was allegedly wearing a black jacket and had used wrenches to gain entry into the premises. These tools may have been used to force open secured areas during both incidents, though specific details of the methods employed remain under investigation.
Facing Charges for Housebreaking & Theft
The man is expected to be formally charged in court on July 24 for the offence of housebreaking and theft. If convicted, he faces a maximum jail sentence of 10 years and may also be fined under Singapore’s Penal Code.
Both cases highlight the importance of surveillance technology in modern policing, especially in commercial spaces where late-night access is restricted. Police urge all business owners to install adequate security systems to deter such criminal acts.
Image Source: SPF