UPDATE (14 Apr, 9.30am): Channel NewsAsia (CNA) reported that the boy who allegedly stole a private bus at Tampines is now assisting the police with investigations. The bus company, A&S Transit, also released a statement regarding the matter. You may read the details in full below.
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After stealing a bus parked at Tampines, a boy allegedly drove it across Singapore before crashing and abandoning it.
Images of the incident circulated on social media, alleging that the boy also drove the vehicle at a speed of over 100km/h.
One image showed police officers confronting the boy, who appeared to smile sheepishly.
A local account reposted details of the incident to Instagram on 12 Apr.
Source: Instagram
The boy reportedly came in with a white chair and bicycle and trespassed onto two buses under A&S Transit parked at Tampines Avenue 9.
Eventually, he stole one of them and attempted to drive it away. CCTV cameras nearby captured his actions and eyewitnesses informed the bus operator, who called the police.
In a follow-up post, the OP claimed that the boy took the stolen bus for a joyride that spanned over five hours.
Source: Instagram
Covering five different places, he allegedly travelled at a speed of over 100km/h, using up a quarter of diesel fuel.
After police gave chase, the OP claimed that the boy crashed the vehicle, inflicting serious damage on it. He then abandoned the bus in a bay before officers managed to catch up with him.
A post of an A&S Transit bus having sustained severe damage has been circulating on Facebook.
Source: Facebook
In the attached picture, the wreckage inflicted on the bus is visible. There are cracks all over its windshield, with one of the doors and rearview mirror having a crooked angle to them.
However, it’s unclear if the bus is the same one the boy had driven.
According to CNA, who cited a police statement, the boy is currently assisting with investigations. The police reportedly received an alert regarding a case of theft involving a bus along Tampines Avenue 10 on Wednesday (12 Apr).
Private bus operator A&S Transit, which owns the stolen vehicle, released a statement on Facebook yesterday (13 Apr).
Clarifying that they never intended for the matter to become public, the company said that they didn’t “wish for any undue stress” on the boy, who’s a minor.
A&S also called on the public to be more supportive of youths pursuing their passions, declaring that,
We would like to take this opportunity to call on the public, government and organisations not to dismiss our youths, but to see this incident as a call to hear the growing enthusiasm among the younger generation and to support them with more outlets and opportunities to pursue their interests.
The company closed their statement by confirming that the authorities have been notified and that everyone should avoid speculating further.
Police investigations are reportedly ongoing.
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Featured image adapted from Instagram and Instagram.
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