Police arrest 33-year-old man for series of thefts from taxis

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http://www.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/Crime/Story/A1Story20120803-363298.html

Police have arrested a 33-year-old man believed to be responsible for a series of thefts from taxis.

Between July 20 and August 1 this year, police received several reports from taxi drivers about cash and mobile phones being stolen from their vehicles.

Valuables were placed in the front passenger seat compartments.

In all cases, the culprit would flag down the taxi and direct the taxi driver to drive to a near polyclinic.

Upon reaching the destination, the suspect would inform the taxi driver that he had noticed a dent at the back of the taxi or that the rear tyre was punctured.

While the taxi driver got out of the vehicle to check on the "damage", the man would steal valuables stored in the front compartment.

He would then leave the scene abruptly, giving the excuse that he needed to fetch a family member from the polyclinic.

He told the drivers that he would return soon but never did.

The suspect was arrested on Aug 3 at Ubi Avenue 1, and will be charged in court tomorrow.

If convicted, he faces a maximum of three years' imprisonment and/or a fine.