2 men arrested for separate cases of serial housebreaking, theft, and molestation

SINGAPORE - The police have arrested two men for suspected involvement in separate cases of serial housebreaking and theft, as well as insulting and outrage of modesty of women.

In the series of housebreaking and theft cases, a 22-year-old man was arrested for his suspected involvement in cases reported between July and September 2014 in the vicinities of Woodlands and Yishun.

The victims discovered that valuables such as cash, mobile phones and laptops went missing from their homes.

Officers from the Jurong Police Division conducted probes, established the suspect's identity and arrested him in the vicinity of Sembawang Road on Sep 17, 2014.

Preliminary investigations revealed his suspected involvement in nine cases of housebreaking and theft that occurred in the public housing estates of Woodlands and Yishun.

For the series of insult and outrage of modesty of women cases, a 40-year-old man was arrested in the vicinity of Jurong West.

Officers from the Jurong Police Division arrested the suspect in the vicinity of Boon Lay on Sep 17, 2014. Preliminary investigations revealed that he may be involved in another seven cases similar to the six that were reported between April and May 2014.

If convicted of housebreaking and theft by night, the suspect may be jailed between 2 and 14 years.

A person found guilty of outrage of modesty faces a jail term of up to 2 years, or pay a fine, and may be caned. A person convicted of insulting the modesty of a woman may be imprisoned for up to 1 year, or fined, or both.

minlee@sph.com.sg