21-year-old arrested for 20 suspected break-ins in Hougang, Serangoon, Bishan, Bedok

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Police have arrested a 21-year-old man for suspected involvement in at least 20 break-ins at HDB residential units in Hougang, Serangoon, Bishan and Bedok.

Since May 2012, a spate of break-ins was reported in the Hougang area.

The culprit appeared to have targeted flats with windows left unsecured or with louvers that could be easily forced opened.

It is believed that the culprit extended his hand through the window to "fish" out the valuables such as wallets, cash and mobile phones that were placed near the windows.

Officers from Ang Mo Kio Police Division were conducting anti-crime rounds in Hougang at about 10pm on July 5, 2012 when they spotted a man behaving suspiciously and looking into units along the corridor of Blk 516 Hougang Avenue 10.

Officers trailed him and saw the subject stretching his hand through a window opening and removing something from a unit on the fifth floor.

The officers detained the subject who was found with a purse with cash and valuables that had a total value of about $200.

Preliminary investigations indicated that the suspect is responsible for at least 20 similar cases of break-ins in Hougang, Serangoon, Bishan and Bedok.

The suspect will be charged in court for the offence of Housebreaking and Theft by Night which carries a maximum of 14 years imprisonment.