A car, a circular power saw, an assortment of jewellery, as well as cash in various currencies totalling more than $18,000, were recovered from the three men. -- ST PHOTOS: KELVIN CHNG
SINGAPORE (The Straits Times/ANN): Three men, aged between 48 and 60, were arrested by the police on Sunday (May 11) for their suspected involvement in three cases of housebreaking and theft.
The three foreign nationals were apprehended within 27 hours of the first case bring reported and will be charged in court on Monday (May 12) for housebreaking and theft with common intention.
In a statement on May 11, the police said they were alerted on May 9 and 10 to three cases of housebreaking at residential units in Cluny Park, Dunearn Close and Eng Neo Avenue in the Bukit Timah area.
Through extensive ground inquiries and with the aid of footage from CCTV and police cameras, officers from Tanglin Police Division, Police Operations Command Centre, Police Intelligence Department, Gurkha Contingent, Special Operations Command and the Home Team Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Command were able to establish the identities of the suspects.
The trio – a Spanish/Colombian national, 60, with dual citizenship; a 51-year-old Mexican and a 48-year Mexican/Colombian national with dual citizenship – had each entered Singapore on a social visit pass within the past fortnight. They were arrested on May 11.
A car, a circular power saw, an assortment of jewellery, as well as cash in various currencies totalling more than $18,000, were recovered from the three men.
The police said at a news conference that two members of the public had provided key witness accounts that assisted in the swift arrest of the suspects.
The pair were presented with certificates of appreciation on May 11 in recognition of their community partnership with the police.
Despite a falling number of housebreaking cases here, the police said Singapore remains a target by transnational criminals and urged the public to stay vigilant.
All residents can take crime prevention measures to secure their homes, especially if they will be away for an extended period, such as during school holidays, said the authorities.
These steps include:
Ensuring the home’s perimeter is well-lit and secured with sturdy fencing, and to trim any overgrown vegetation that may block CCTV coverage.
Installing sturdy locks on all windows and doors, and to consider reinforcing them with grilles. Always lock windows and doors when leaving the house or at night.
Installing a burglar alarm system that is connected to a monitoring system, so that the owner or neighbours can be alerted in case of a breach.
Installing CCTV cameras, as high-resolution images captured by such cameras have proven useful in solving such cases. Visible cameras and signages can also act as a deterrent to potential burglars.
Not keeping large amounts of cash at home, and to keep valuables in a secure and discreet location, such as a safe that is securely bolted to permanent structures.
Joining the Community Watch Scheme – Neighbours on Watch to receive regular alerts and advisories on the crime concerns in one’s neighbourhood.
The public can also play an active role in preventing and deterring crime in their neighbourhood by volunteering with the police’s Citizens on Patrol scheme.
“The public should continue to adopt crime prevention measures, be vigilant and report cases to the police in a timely manner,” the police said.
“The police will spare no effort to apprehend persons who enter Singapore to commit crime, and will deal sternly with them in accordance with the law.” - The Straits Timnes/ANN
