Snatch thief, 60, arrested for preying on elderly women

SINGAPORE - A 60-year-old man has been arrested by the police for involvement in multiple cases of snatch theft targeting elderly women.

Since mid-October till early January this year, police received four reports of snatch theft cases in Bukit Panjang public housing estate.

The victims, all elderly women, had their valuables snatched from their possession by a suspect with similar descriptions.

Officers from Jurong Police Division conducted extensive investigative probes and ground enquiries to establish the identity of the suspect.

He was subsequently arrested in the vicinity of Fajar Road on Jan 15 at 12.30pm.

The suspect will appear in court on Jan 17.

If convicted, he will face a jail term of up to seven years and be liable for caning.

wjeanne@sph.com.sg