IP addresses are NOT logged in this forum so there's no point asking. Please note that this forum is full of homophobes, racists, lunatics, schizophrenics & absolute nut jobs with a smattering of geniuses, Chinese chauvinists, Moderate Muslims and last but not least a couple of "know-it-alls" constantly sprouting their dubious wisdom. If you believe that content generated by unsavory characters might cause you offense PLEASE LEAVE NOW! Sammyboy Admin and Staff are not responsible for your hurt feelings should you choose to read any of the content here. The OTHER forum is HERE so please stop asking.
Teenager takes private bus and goes on joyride around Singapore
Tracked by owners, he is arrested after 6-hour trip
Published on Mar 10, 2015 8:09 AM
The teenager covered 155km during his joyride. This picture was taken by AZ Bus operations manager Francis Toh after the bus came to a halt at a stop in Bukit Batok. -- PHOTO: COURTESY OF FRANCIS TOH
By Calvin Yang
A teenager has been arrested on suspicion of making off with a 45-seater private bus and taking it on a six-hour joyride around Singapore that saw him tracked down and chased by its owners.
The 17-year-old got inside the vehicle while it was parked at a Woodlands industrial park and found the key in a box aboard the vehicle.
The youth, who is thought to have known the workings of the China-made Yutong model, started his 155km journey at about 9am on Sunday.
He made his way through areas including Yishun, Ang Mo Kio, Telok Kurau, East Coast Park, Toa Payoh, Choa Chu Kang, Bukit Batok, Boon Lay and Jurong East.
He was finally arrested at a bus stop in Bukit Batok Central.
Mr Francis Toh, operations manager of bus owner AZ Bus company, had been due to collect the bus at about 2pm to take workers from Little India to their dormitories in Woodlands.
After discovering it missing, he linked his cellphone to a GPS tracker installed on the bus two years ago. He discovered that the vehicle was travelling at 70kmh along roads in Tuas, and got into a nine-seater minibus to track it down.
"He was a rather safe driver," Mr Toh said in Mandarin.
"When he wanted to overtake other vehicles, he would indicate his intention using signal lights. He seemed confident and drove with only one hand on the steering wheel."
AZ Bus director Yeo Keng Sin, 66, who also followed the bus in his Toyota car, overtook it along Bukit Batok Central and brought it to a halt by cutting in front.
Mr Toh, who was following behind, prevented the bus from reversing by covering its rear.
With the bus stationary, both rushed on board. For 10 minutes, they struggled to hold on to the teen, who tried to escape through the rear door.
Police arrived shortly after and arrested him.
"I am surprised that there wasn't any accident even though he drove for six hours straight," said Mr Toh. "I am glad no one got hurt."
AZ Bus general manager Cynthia Yeo, 35, said the company made a loss of about $400 for that day.
Ms Yeo, who made a police report, said: "We are looking into improving our security measures and will be installing more cameras on our buses."
Mr Francis Toh holding down the boy to prevent him escaping before the police arrived. -- PHOTO: FRANCIS TOH
By Elena Chong
SINGAPORE - A boy appeared in court on Tuesday to face charges for allegedly stealing a bus and taking it on a joyride around Singapore.
Muhammad Salahuddin Omar, 16, who is hearing impaired, was charged with stealing the 45-seater from a Woodlands Industrial Park, driving under the age of 18 and driving without insurance.
He indicated through a sign language interpreter that he wished to plead guilty to the charges.
The teenager was arrested on Sunday afternoon after taking the 45-seater bus, worth about $20,000, for a joyride.
The prosecution told the court that more charges may be brought against him.
Bail of $15,000 was offered, on the condition that he remains indoors from 10pm to 6am.
The case will be mentioned again on April 7.
The maximum penalty for vehicle theft is seven years' jail, a fine and driving ban.
The punishment for underage driving and driving without insurance is a fine of up to $1,000 or up to three months' jail each.
Teen who took bus for joyride had stolen 2 other buses
Published on May 14, 2015 1:04 PM
A Community Court heard that Muhammad Salahuddin Omar, who is deaf and cannot speak, was out on police bail when he committed the latest theft at Woodlands Industrial Park E8 on March 8. -- PHOTO: SHIN MIN DAILY NEWS
By Elena Chong
SINGAPORE - A teenager who took a stolen bus for a joyride for 45 minutes had stolen two other buses earlier this year, a court heard.
A Community Court heard that Muhammad Salahuddin Omar, who is deaf and cannot speak, was out on police bail when he committed the latest theft at Woodlands Industrial Park E8 on March 8.
The 17-year-old, who has been in remand for two months as no one bailed him out, admitted to vehicle theft, driving below the age of 18, and doing so without insurance cover.
An employee of the company AZ Bus discovered the vehicle missing that afternoon. He informed the company's operations executive Toh Hoe Kok, who tracked the bus via the Global Positioning System and found it was travelling along Kian Teck Road in Jurong.
Mr Toh asked an employee to follow the bus, which did not stop when approached.
Via his mobile phone, Mr Toh tracked the bus moving along Ayer Rajah Expressway, Jurong Town Hall Road, Boon Lay Way and Jurong Pier Road, going in circles.
He decided to go after the bus in his own car. He spotted it at Bukit Batok Avenue 6 and stopped the bus by driving in front of it near Bukit Batok Central.
Investigations showed that Salahuddin's father had noticed that his son had shown a keen interest in public transportation for about a year, and would attend transportation-related exhibitions with his elder brother. He would also play computer games related to buses.
Salahuddin went to the Woodlands Industrial Park E8 that day to steal a bus for a "joyride", picking an automatic model which was easier to drive.
Earlier, District Judge Mathew Joseph had wanted to know why the youth was kept in custody. His father explained that he had not wanted to bail him out, so he would not commit more offences.
The father, who had felt ashamed when the police turned up at his door, said it was hard for him to control the youth and felt it was best for the "law to take him" for what he had done.
In mitigation, Salahuddin pleaded for one last chance through a sign interpreter and said he wished to continue with his studies.
Judge Joseph postponed sentencing to June 4, pending probation and Reformative Training Centre reports.
