A 26-year-old woman allegedly stole items worth S$960 on 33 occasions from a Sheng Siong supermarket in Sembawang Crescent, several times together with a man.
They are among 11 people to be charged with shop theft over the next few days, said the Singapore Police Force (SPF) in a statement on Sunday (15 Nov) that was sent to MS News.
The alleged shop thefts were believed to have been carried out 33 times over about 2.5 months between 30 July and 15 Oct, SPF said.
On 21 of these occasions, the woman allegedly worked together with a 29-year-old man.
The total losses sustained from the stealing spree amounted to about S$960.
The game was up on 15 Oct when the woman was detected by facial recognition CCTV installed at Sheng Siong’s Sembawang Crescent outlet.
Source: Google Maps
SPF identified the couple after conducting follow-up investigations and viewing CCTV footage and police cameras.
They were arrested on the same day.
The woman will be charged with two counts of amalgamated theft in dwelling, while the man will be charged with one count of amalgamated theft in dwelling.
If convicted of theft in dwelling, they may be jailed for up to seven years and fined.
Amalgamated charges are brought under Section 124(4) of the Criminal Procedure Code 2010.
For the offences committed together, their charges will reflect that they had acted in furtherance of their common intention.
Under Section 34 of the Penal Code 1871, when a criminal act is done by several persons in furtherance of their common intention, each of them will be liable for it as if it was done by that person alone.
The couple are among 11 individuals, aged between 26 and 63, who will be charged on Monday (16 Nov) and Wednesday (18 Nov) over separate cases of shop theft carried out at supermarkets and various retail outlets.
Some of the others are:
All the abovementioned suspects were involved in prior cases of shop theft, SPF said.
Source: Singapore Police Force on Facebook. Photo for illustration purposes only.
SPF reminded the public to ensure they make payment for all items that they intend to purchase, especially at self-checkout kiosks.
Higher footfall is expected at retail outlets during the year-end school holidays and festive period, which may create greater opportunities for shop theft.
Thus, retailers are advised to remain vigilant and take proactive measures to deter shop theft, including installing CCTV cameras with recording function at their entrances and exits.
CCTV cameras help the police identify offenders more quickly, even if they initially escape detection, SPF noted, adding that several CCTVs have facial recognition capabilities that helps retailers detect and nab offenders.
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Featured image adapted from Singapore Police Force on Facebook and Google Maps. Photo on the left for illustration purposes only.