C
Chun Li
Guest
Dec 30, 2010
Spirited member of public foils snatch theft
By Lai Han-Wei
The 18-year-old male suspect will be charged in court on Friday for the snatch theft, which carries a maximum punishment of seven years imprisonment and caning. -- ST PHOTO: WANG HUI FEN
A MEMBER of the public went the extra mile on Wednesday by helping to detain two youth suspects who were believed to be involved in a case of snatch theft at Pasir Ris St 53.
On Wednesday afternoon at about 1.45pm, a 70-year-old woman was walking along the pavement of Pasir Ris St 53 when she noticed a young couple behind her.
One of them, a youth, ran towards the victim and snatched her handbag.
The suspect then fled the scene on foot with the handbag, which contained about $66 in cash and other personal documents, while his female companion walked off in another direction.
Alerted by the victim's cries for help, a member of public who happened to be in the vicinity responded immediately and stopped the female companion from leaving before calling the police.
Then, spotting the male suspect at a nearby block, the member of the public managed to detain him as well.
Shortly after, officers from Bedok Police Division arrived at the scene and took custody of both suspects.
The victim's valuables were also successfully recovered from the male suspect.
The 18-year-old male suspect will be charged in court on Friday for the snatch theft, which carries a maximum punishment of seven years imprisonment and caning.
The 15-year-old female suspect has been released on bail pending further investigations.
Acting Commander of Bedok Police Division, Superintendent of Police Jarrod Pereira commended the member of the public for his public-spiritedness and said:
'This arrest showcases the importance and effectiveness of police-community partnership in the fight against crime.'
