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Jewellery theft syndicate busted by police
By Mustafa Shafawi | Posted: 05 April 2011 1737 hrs
SINGAPORE: Police have cracked a jewellery theft syndicate made up of three male Filipinos aged 54 to 63 years old.
The trio is believed to have stolen jewellery worth a total of about S$120,000 from several goldsmith shops and pawnshops.
Police said the trio targeted the shops when they were crowded during the peak hours.
The suspects took turns to ask counter staff to show them various pieces of jewellery.
While the staff was distracted, one suspect would use his body to block the view of the staff while another took the opportunity to steal jewellery from unsecured display cabinets unnoticed.
After committing the theft, the suspects would offer excuses and leave quickly.
The three were arrested near Geylang Road.
Several pieces of jewellery, which are believed to be stolen, were successfully recovered.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects are involved in a total of five similar cases.
The suspects will be charged in Court on Wednesday for theft in dwelling. If convicted, they can be jailed for up to seven years and fined.
-CNA/ac
