Teen foils own robbery by accidentally dropping knife, sentenced to probation
A 16-year-old teen’s robbery attempt ended in arrest when he accidentally dropped his knife mid-crime, allowing his intended victim to restrain him.
On Tuesday (4 March), the teen was sentenced to 18 months’ probation for the robbery attempt.
Source: PhotoAC, for illustration purposes only.
Teen drops knife during robbery
According to a Channel News Asia report, the incident took place on 18 Nov 2023 at Block 199A, Punggol Field, when a 33-year-old man met the teen after arranging to exchange S$81,060 for cryptocurrency via Telegram.
The prosecution explained that the teen had also allegedly been recruited by a user on Telegram and was instructed to buy a knife to “scare” the victim, reports The Straits Times.
Acting on instructions, the teen grabbed the cash and ran.
When the victim gave chase, the teen attempted to brandish a kitchen knife but clumsily dropped it instead.
The victim tackled him, and with the help of two men and a woman, the teen was detained until police arrived.
Authorities recovered the full amount of cash and arrested the teen.
Further investigations led police to 33-year-old Firdaus Muhammad Abdul Aziz, who was charged in court for abetting the teen in the robbery plot.
A 27-year-old man believed to be linked to the case was also arrested.
Teen sentenced to probation
The teen, now aged 17, pleaded guilty to one count of attempted robbery in January this year.
According to the Straits Times, as part of the 18 months of probation, the teen must perform 60 hours of community service, and remain indoors from 10pm to 6am daily.
His parents are also bonded for $5,000 to ensure his good behaviour during those 18 months.
Also read: 16-year-old boy allegedly robbed & assaulted in Yishun, 3 youths charged
16-year-old boy allegedly robbed & assaulted in Yishun, 3 youths charged
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Featured image adapted from PhotoAC and Canva, for illustration purposes only.
