A shop owner in Woodlands was left shocked after a woman was allegedly caught on surveillance footage cutting up an aloe vera plant placed outside her business premises before walking away with the chopped pieces.
The incident reportedly took place outside Seemralicious Beauty Services at Block 166 Woodlands Street 13 on the morning of May 5. According to the shop owner, the woman approached the plant carrying a bag before looking around the area suspiciously.
Surveillance footage later showed the woman taking out a sharp object from her bag and slicing off several sections of the aloe vera plant. She then placed the cut portions into her bag and calmly walked away, leaving the remaining plant visibly damaged.
Photos and clips of the incident were uploaded onto Instagram by the business owner, where the footage quickly attracted attention from Singapore netizens. Many online users expressed disbelief over the incident, especially considering the plant was placed outside a neighbourhood beauty shop.
Shop Owner Says Plant Was Grown For Over A Year
The business owner, identified as Seemren, said the aloe vera plant had been in her care for more than a year. While the original purchase price was reportedly around S$30, she estimated the matured plant could now be worth between S$100 and S$150 due to its size and growth.
She also shared that this was the first time she had encountered the woman seen in the footage. According to Seemren, the incident happened at around 8:30am.
The damaged aloe vera plant appeared significantly smaller after the incident, with multiple leaves removed. Aloe vera plants are commonly valued not only for decorative purposes but also for skincare and wellness applications, making mature plants more expensive in Singapore’s gardening market.
The footage sparked discussions online about theft involving plants and decorative items left outside HDB shops and residential units. Some social media users questioned whether the woman intended to use the aloe vera for personal skincare remedies, while others criticised the act regardless of the motive.
Police Report May Be Filed If No Apology Is Given
In the caption accompanying the Instagram post, Seemren stated that she wanted the woman to apologise and compensate her for the damage before she proceeded to lodge a police report.
She also appealed to members of the public to contact her through Instagram if they recognised the woman captured in the surveillance footage.
The incident has since become another viral neighbourhood story in Singapore, with many residents commenting on the importance of respecting property belonging to small businesses and shop owners.
While aloe vera leaves can regrow over time, gardening enthusiasts noted online that cutting the plant improperly could affect its future growth and overall health.
The incident remains widely discussed across local social media platforms as netizens continue debating whether the act should be treated as theft, vandalism, or simply inconsiderate behaviour.