8 suspects in money changer robbery

8 suspects in money changer robbery

As many as eight men, instead of the five previously suspected, are now said to have been involved in the brazen robbery of a money changer last week.

This was revealed in court yesterday when two Malaysians - Tachana Moorthy Peromal, 28, and Ravi Sandhira Sagaran, 27 - became the second and third suspects to be charged over the Nov 5 incident at Block 110 Aljunied Crescent.

They are said to have robbed money changer Ali Yousouf Saiboo, 35, of more than $600,000 at around 12.50am together with compatriot Annadurai Raman, 42, who was charged last Saturday. The other five unidentified suspects remain at large.

The loot taken from the money changer, who was with his three-year-old son in his car at the carpark, included various currencies with a total value of $624,036.41.

According to court documents, one or more of the suspects was allegedly armed with a crowbar. In committing the robbery, they also voluntarily caused hurt to their victim by kicking him in the abdomen.

On Thursday, police said in a statement that Tachana and Ravi had been arrested in Malaysia and extradited to Singapore the day before. About US$30,000 (S$38,700) in cash was seized from the men.

All three men will next appear in court on Nov 21, after District Judge Eddy Tham granted the police's request that they be remanded another week for further investigations.

This is to ascertain the identities of five other suspects in the case, the court heard.

Annadurai, a permanent resident, is represented by Mr Mathew Kurian, while the two men charged yesterday are represented by Mr Sunil Sudheesan.

The penalty for robbery and voluntarily causing hurt in the process is a jail term of between five and 20 years, and at least 12 strokes of the cane.

Those who commit robbery while armed with a deadly weapon face caning of at least 12 strokes, in addition to other punishments.

pohian@sph.com.sg


This article was first published on Nov 15, 2014.
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