Housebreaker arrested within 6 hours

Police have arrested a 23-year-old man believed to be responsible for a case of housebreaking and theft in the Woodlands housing estate.

On September 20, 2013 at about 4.20 am, a case of housebreaking was reported at a unit along Woodlands Street 82. A home occupant managed to catch a glimpse of the housebreaker before the latter fled the scene. A laptop, tablet PC and other valuables were reported stolen.

On the same day at about 9 am, the home occupant spotted a male subject fitting the description of the housebreaker in the vicinity of Woodlands Street 82, and alerted the police immediately. The subject was seen leaving the area in a taxi. The home occupant managed to take down the taxi's vehicle number and provided the information to the police.

The subject was quickly spotted following a search, and detained in the vicinity of Bedok North Street 2 at about 11 am.

Police also recovered items, believed to be stolen, from the suspect's possession.

The suspect will be charged in Court on September 21 2013 for Housebreaking and Theft by Night under Section 457 of the Penal Code Chapter 224. If convicted, he may be sentenced for up to 14 years’ imprisonment.

According to the police, property owners should adopt the following crime prevention measures against break-ins:

a) Ensure that all doors, windows and other openings are properly secured with good quality grills and close-shackled padlocks;
b) Keep large sums of cash in banks and expensive jewellery in a safe deposit box;
c) Secure all doors and windows before retiring to bed or when leaving your house unattended, even for a short while; and
d) Install a burglar alarm, to cover the access points into your premises. Ensure that they are tested periodically and in good working condition.

candicec@sph.com.sg