Caught in 4K: Man steals tip box from Jewel Changi Airport eatery during closing hours

An eatery in Jewel Changi Airport was left baffled after a thief swiped its tip box after it closed for the day.

In a Facebook post shared on Chow Zan Dessert’s page on Wednesday (Dec 3), it quipped the man was "caught in 4K" without even wearing a mask.

"Bro, 2025 already. Even thieves also must upgrade," said the eatery. "Don’t you know security cameras are everywhere?"

CCTV footage from the eatery showed a man strolling into the eatery on Nov 30 at about 11.55pm.

After moving aside the poles that were blocking the entrance, he looked around, before grabbing the tip box from the front counter with both hands.

The entire operation lasted less than 20 seconds.

"If you’re going to steal the tips, at least leave the tip box," lamented Chow Zan Dessert. "Now I have to buy another one."

Andy Chow, the owner of Chow Zan Dessert, told AsiaOne on Thursday (Dec 4) that he lost about $100 from the stolen tip box. 

“I’m still waiting for him to return it to me,” he said. “The box is quite expensive — around $35.” 

Chow said that if the tip box is replaced, he will keep it securely after operation hours. 

“A lesson learnt and life goes on,” he added. “Honestly, we are blessed it’s only a tip box that is stolen.” 

Responding to AsiaOne’s queries, the police said that a 21-year-old Singaporean man has been arrested for his suspected involvement in several cases of theft in Changi Airport and Jewel Changi Airport.

The police were first alerted to theft at a food and beverage establishment at Changi Airport Terminal 1 on Nov 24, where the man allegedly took a tip box containing cash.

With the aid of footage from CCTV cameras, the police established his identity, and arrested him on Thursday.

Police later found and seized an assortment of currencies from him, which were believed to have been stolen.

The police said that further investigations revealed that he was allegedly involved in five other similar cases of theft at Changi Airport.

The man will be charged on Friday (Dec 5) with the offence of theft in dwelling. If convicted, he can be jailed for up to seven years, fined or both.

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chingshijie@asiaone.com