A Singaporean mother, Lorraine Chan Chu Yi, 26, was fined S$3,500 (US$2,600) by a court on Thursday, June 13, for stealing milk powder from two supermarkets using her toddlers’ stroller. Chan pleaded guilty to two counts of theft, with a third charge taken into consideration.
According to the court, Chan took her two children, aged two and three at the time, to a Sheng Siong supermarket in Bukit Batok on June 4 last year, where she hid two cans of Enfamil milk powder worth S$270.70 in their stroller and left without paying. Three days later, she and her husband, Lim Soon Leong, 26, went to the Giant hypermarket at the IMM Building, where they stole 12 cans of Enfamil milk powder worth S$1,565.40.
According to CNA, The couple’s modus operandi was to conceal the milk powder in storage boxes and then pay for other groceries at a self-service payment kiosk, while leaving the stolen items unpaid. They managed to leave the supermarket undetected, and Lim later sold the stolen milk powder on Carousell for S$1,170.
The thefts were discovered during stock checks, and police reports were made. Although the stolen milk powder was not recovered, Chan made full restitution. Her husband, Lim, was sentenced to 11 months’ jail last month for the milk powder theft, as well as other offences including cheating.
Chan’s defense lawyer, Victoria Tay from the Public Defender’s Office, argued that Chan’s husband was the mastermind behind the thefts, and that Chan had agreed to participate due to financial desperation. The lawyer noted that Chan had made full restitution despite her financial difficulties and was seeking a fine for her client.
The court ultimately fined Chan S$3,500, which she was able to pay in full. The case highlights the consequences of theft and the importance of taking responsibility for one’s actions, even in the face of financial difficulties.