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A New Zealander arrested during transit through Singapore could potentially face prison time over his alleged involvement in a two-time shop theft at the city-state’s destination airport.
In a statement, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) said they arrested the man, 63, and a 52-year-old Australian woman at their transit hotelin Changi Airport’s Terminal 2 on March 25.
Both have been jointly accused of shop theft after CCTV footage allegedly captured the man taking a Chanel perfume, valued at S$239.60 ($321.40), from a retail store in the transit area before leaving with the woman without paying.
The pair then returned to the same store about two minutes later, with the man allegedly taking a Lancome anti-ageing moisturiser, valued at S$198 ($265.60), before leaving without paying.
Staff did not see the man taking the items during each alleged offence, and the SPF said they were only notified after a shopworker discovered they had disappeared from the display shelf about 15 minutes after the pair left the store.
“Through ground inquiries and with the aid of images from CCTV, officers from the Airport Police Division established the identities of the two persons,” SPF said.
The 63-year-old Kiwi and 52-year-old Australian were arrested at a transit hotel in Singapore's Changi Airport. Photo / 123rf
“Officers from the Airport Police Division arrested both persons at their hotel room and recovered the stolen items.
“The police also seized two additional bottles of perfume which were allegedly fraudulently obtained.”
Both were charged by the SPF on Tuesday with two counts of theft in dwelling with common intention under Singapore’s Penal Code 1871.
The offence carries a sentence of up to seven years’ jail time, a fine, or both, if found guilty.
CCTV footage allegedly caught the man taking Chanel perfume and Lancome anti-ageing moisturiser from an airport store. Photo / Singapore Police Force
The pair were also each charged with one count of fraudulent possession of property under the Miscellaneous Offences (Public Order and Nuisance) Act 1906.
If found guilty, they could each face imprisonment of up to a year, a fine of up to $3000, or both.
SPF said they “take a serious view of shop theft cases” and use the laws in place to “deal firmly with offenders”.
