36-year-old Roger Khoo Zhen Xuan had been suffering from bipolar disorder with manic relapse when he broke into his friend’s (Huang Guo Sheng) home to steal a $2.50 tortoise. He pleaded guilty to a charge of criminal trespass on Thursday (21 January).
Khoo went to Huang’s home and broke into Huang’s home and ransacked his bedroom. He claimed that Huang had promised to give him a tortoise. However, Huang had made no such promise.
Khoo then stole the tortoise before calling a locksmith to repair the broken front door. When Huang returned home, he was shocked that his home was broken into and he found his room ransack and realised that his pet tortoise was missing. He then went online and found a picture of Khoo and his stolen tortoise on social media.
Huang then called the police and his pet tortoise was then returned to him.
Khoo is currently on medication and undergoing treatment at the IMH. He will return to court on 1 March for his sentencing.