Serial housebreaker arrested by police
AsiaOne
Wednesday, Jan 23, 2013
SINGAPORE - The police have arrested a 40-year-old man who is believed to be involved in several cases of housebreaking and theft.
A male victim had reported to the police on Jan 17 that his second-storey Kim Tian Road flat had been broken into.
Following the reports, Crime Strike Force officers from Bukit Merah East Neighbourhood Police Centre conducted extensive enquiries and stepped up patrols at the Kim Tian Road estate.
On Jan 23 at about 9.30am, the officers spotted a man scaling down the roof of a sheltered-walkway beside a HDB block at Kim Tian Road and apprehended him on the spot.
The officers checked on the man and his bicycle which was parked nearby and found a wire-cutter and a screwdriver in the bicycle.
The man was then arrested for suspected housebreaking and theft and the housebreaking items were seized as exhibits.
Preliminary Investigations revealed that the suspect is believed to be involved in at least three cases of housebreaking and theft at the Kim Tian Road estate.
The suspect will be charged in Court on 25 January 2013 for the offence of Housebreaking and Theft By Day under Section 454 of the Penal Code, Chapter 224 which carries a maximum imprisonment term of 10 years. He will be remanded for investigations.
Commander of Central Police Division, Deputy Assistant Commissioner of Police Daniel Tan, commended the Crime Strike Force officers for their policing efforts.
The police has also issued these advice to the public for prevention of housebreaking and theft:
- Ensure that all doors, windows and other openings are well-secured with good quality grilles and close-shackled padlocks.
- Secure all doors and windows before retiring to bed or when leaving your house unattended, even for a short while.
- Install a burglar alarm, sensor light and/or closed circuit surveillance camera to cover the access points into your premises. Ensure that they are tested periodically and in good working condition.
- Keep large sums of cash in banks and expensive jewellery in safe deposit box.
- If you are going away for a prolonged period, suspend the newspaper subscription and arrange for someone to check on your home.
