An Indian man was arrested in Singapore for stealing goods worth approximately INR 3.5 lakh (SGD 5,136, USD 4,046) from multiple shops at Jewel Changi Airport and the transit area of Changi Airport, reports said.
The 38-year-old had stolen bags, cosmetics and perfumes from a total of 14 different shops before boarding a flight and leaving the country.
The theft was first discovered during a stock-taking exercise by a retail supervisor at one of the shops in Jewel Changi Airport. When the staff realised that a bag was missing, they alerted the Singapore Police Force (SPF) at around 4:28 pm on May 29.
Upon reviewing CCTV footage, officers saw the man taking the bag and leaving the store without making any payment.
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Further investigation helped the police establish the man’s identity. However, by then, he had already flown out of Singapore.
The accused returned to the country on June 1 and was arrested by officers from the airport police division during transit. His bags were searched and several items, believed to have been stolen, were found in his possession.
According to police, the accused had not only stolen from the first reported shop but had also taken goods from 13 other retail outlets in the airport premises.
The man is expected to be charged on July 25 for theft and fraudulent possession of property. Under Singaporean law, if convicted, he could face up to seven years in jail, a fine, or both.
