Serial Toa Payoh Housebreaker Arrested

Between May 2011 and mid-July 2011, several cases of break-ins were reported at HDB flats situated in the vicinity of Toa Payoh housing estate. There were no obvious signs of forced entry and the culprit is believed to have gain entry by climbing in through the unsecured windows.

Following the reports, officers from Tanglin Police Division conducted intensive investigations and ground enquiries and eventually managed to establish the identity of the suspect. However, initial efforts to apprehend the suspect proved challenging as he had no fixed place of abode and employment.

Despite this, the officers continued to make enquiries and eventually succeeded in establishing his whereabouts. The suspect was arrested on 20 July 2011 at about 12.15am at Toa Payoh Estate. Several identity cards, work permit, ATM cards and credit cards were found in his possession. These items were later established to be stolen from the victims when their premises were broken into. Follow-up investigations also led to the recovery of a laptop and i-pad, from a shop at Geylang area.

The accused, a 24-year-old Chinese man, will be charged in the Subordinate Court on 21 July 2011 for an offence of Housebreaking and Theft by Night under Section 457 of the Penal Code, Chapter 224. This offence carries a maximum imprisonment of 14 years.

Police would also like to advise the public to adopt the following measures to prevent housebreaking.

a. Ensure all doors, windows and other openings are well secured with good quality grilles and close-shackled padlocks;

b. Secure all doors and windows before retiring to bed or when leaving your house unattended, even for a short while;

c. Keep large sums of cash in banks and expensive jewellery in a safe deposit box;

d. Install an anti-burglar alarm system or close circuit surveillance camera to record movements within your premises. The alarm and CCTV system should be regularly serviced to ensure they are in good working condition;

ORIGINAL SOURCE

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