19-year-old arrested for stealing 2 motor vehicles

SINGAPORE - Police have arrested a 19-year-old man who is believed to be involved in 2 cases of theft of motor vehicles.

On April 6, at about 4.45am, officers from Ang Mo Kio Police Division manning a roadblock along Punggol Road spotted the driver of a motor car abandoning his vehicle some distance away.

When the officers reached the car, there was no sign of the driver. Police managed to trace the owner of the car, who confirmed that his vehicle had been stolen.

Meanwhile, a van was reported stolen from a multi-storey carpark located at Hougang Street 31 on June 16. The van was found a few days later at Hougang Street 22.

After follow-up investigations, the suspect's identity for both incidents was later established and he was arrested in the vicinity of Jurong West Street 64 on August 14.

The suspect will be charged in court on August 16 for theft of motor vehicle, which carries a maximum jail term of seven years' imprisonment and he shall also be liable to a fine.

Commander of Ang Mo Kio Police Division, Assistant Commissioner of Police Keok Tong San commended the officers' commitment and perseverance which resulted in the arrest of the suspect.

He also advised all vehicle owners not to leave their vehicle keys or valuables in their vehicles unattended, even for a short while, and if possible, to secure their vehicles with additional locking devices such as steering-wheel locks.

grongloh@sph.com.sg