5 Filipino nationals arrested for alleged theft at Orchard underpass, almost S$3K not recovered
A man who was bumped into while walking in an underpass at Orchard Road ended up losing more than S$155,000, of which almost S$3,000 has not been recovered.
Five Filipino nationals were arrested for alleged theft, said the Singapore Police Force (SPF) in a news release on Saturday (26 Sept).
Source: Google Maps
Man bumped into at Orchard underpass
On Friday (25 Sept), the man had just exchanged currency from a money changer and was at an underpass near Tang Plaza along Orchard Road at about 1.40pm.
At the foot of an escalator, he was bumped into by a few unknown people.
Later, he found that his haversack had been unzipped and about S$155,600 in cash had been removed.
Filipino nationals arrested within the same day
After the police was alerted, officers from Tanglin Police Division conducted follow-up investigations and viewed images from CCTV and police cameras.
They identified five Filipino nationals — a man and four women aged between 31 and 57.
The quintet were arrested within the same day.
Only about S$152,800 in cash was recovered and seized as evidence.
Source: Singapore Police Force
Quintet charged with theft with common intention
The five Filipino nationals were charged in court on Saturday with theft with common intention.
According to the Penal Code 1871, if a criminal act is done by several people in furtherance of the common intention of all, each person will be liable for that act as if it was done by that person alone.
If convicted, they each face a prison term of up to three years and/or a fine.
Police won’t tolerate ‘brazen’ criminal acts
The police said they will not tolerate such “brazen” criminal acts, and will “spare no effort” to apprehend offenders.
They will then be dealt “in accordance with the law”, SPF added, advising members of the public to remain calm if they encounter such cases.
They should also note the perpetrator’s physical appearance and distinctive features and call for police assistance as soon as possible.
Also read: 4 male Chinese nationals arrested over theft cases at Marina Bay and Sentosa
4 male Chinese nationals arrested over theft cases at Marina Bay and Sentosa
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Featured image adapted from Google Maps and Singapore Police Force.
