Two arrested for cases of robbery in Yishun

Police have arrested two men, aged 29 and 31 for their suspected involvement in two cases of robbery committed in Yishun Housing Estate.

In the first case, on November 18, 2013, at about 1.20pm, a 60-year-old elderly female victim was returning home after marketing when an unknown man entered the lift together with her in the vicinity of Yishun Street 21.

While they were in the lift, the suspect pulled off the necklace that the victim was wearing and snatched her coin purse. When the lift door opened, the 31-year-old suspect ran down the stairs and fled.

In the second case, on November 21, 2013, at about 5.40pm, a 28-year-old female victim was returning home when two unknown men entered the lift with her in the vicinity of Yishun Ring Road. When the lift door closed, both suspects forcefully pulled off the victim's gold chain and took away her purse. Both suspects then fled when the lift door opened.

Officers from the Ang Mo Kio Police Division conducted extensive ground enquiries, scouring for leads. With the aid of CCTVs and investigative probes, the identities of both suspects were established. Both suspects were eventually arrested on December 4 and 5.

They will be charged in Court on December 6, 2013. The 31-year-old suspect will be charged for Robbery and Robbery with Common Intention, while the 29-year-old suspect will be charged for Robbery with Common Intention under Section 392 read with Section 34 of the Penal Code Chapter 224.

If convicted, they face a jail term of between two and 10 years and caning of not less than six strokes.

Commander of Ang Mo Kio Police Division HQ, Assistant Commissioner (AC) of Police Keok Tong San commended the officers' tenacity in pursuing the leads which led to the arrest of the culprit. He also advised residents to be calm and composed when confronted with such situations and take note of the suspect's description and direction of flight. He stressed that Police will not hesitate to track down those inclined to commit such offences and deal with them severely.

candicec@sph.com.sg