Five teenagers arrested for stealing motorcycles

SINGAPORE - Police have arrested 5 males, aged between 16 and 19, for stealing motorcycles in two separate cases.

In the first case, on February 9, the owner of a motorcycle reported the theft of his vehicle from a multi-storey carpark at Hougang Street 91. The motorcycle was later recovered at the same carpark and found lying on its side.

Police managed to obtain the images of four suspects from police cameras installed in the vicinity. The four suspects, aged between 16 and 17, were spotted near Hougang Street 91 on February 20, and were placed under arrest. Investigations also indicate that they could be involved in at least two other similar cases.

In the second case, alert officers spotted a stolen motorcycle ridden by a male rider and a pillion near Ang Mo Kio Avenue 5 on February 20. The motorcycle matched the description of a bike reported stolen on February 15 at Hougang Avenue 9. Upon spotting the officers, the riders tried to escape but they were eventually stopped and arrested.

The four teenagers for the first case and a 19-year-old suspect for the second case will be charged in court for the offence of Theft of Motor Vehicle under Section 379A of the Penal Code. Investigations against the other suspect in the second case are ongoing.

The offence of Theft of Motor Vehicle, under Section 379A of the Penal Code, carries a maximum jail term of seven years' imprisonment, and a fine. Upon conviction, an offender's driving license would also be subject to disqualification.

Motorcycle owners should also adopt the following preventive measures:

a) Park your motorcycle in well-lit areas;

b) Install an anti-theft alarm for your vehicle;

c) Use a motorcycle canvas to cover the motorcycle, securing both ends; and

d) Use additional locking devices such as disc brake locks and suspension guards.

natlim@sph.com.sg