The Police have arrested a 36-year-old man believed to be involved in a case of robbery with hurt along Middle Road and a case of housebreaking and theft by night along Chuan Walk.
On 8 April 2018 at about 11.40 pm, the Police received a report informing that two men had been assaulted and cash amounting to $365,000 was taken away from them. Investigations revealed that the two men were bitcoin brokers and were meeting a prospective seller at the location. During the transaction, they were assaulted by the suspect and another man who thereafter fled with the cash.
Through extensive ground enquiries, the identity of the suspect was established and he was arrested in Sentosa. Investigations further revealed that the suspect is also believed to be involved in a case of housebreaking and theft by night reported on 7 March 2018, where cash and other items with an estimated total value of $150,000 were missing. At the time of his arrest, cash and an assortment of luxury items including branded watches, jewellery and apparels were recovered by the officers.
The suspect will be charged in court on 12 April 2017 with the offence of robbery with hurt under Section 394 of the Penal Code, Chapter 224 and housebreaking and theft by night under Section 457 of the Penal Code, Chapter 224.
If convicted for the offence of robbery with hurt, he faces a jail term of not less than 5 years and not more than 20 years, and shall also be punished with caning of not less than 12 strokes.
For the offence of housebreaking and theft by night, if convicted, the suspect faces a possible sentence of imprisonment for a term not less than 2 years and not more than 14 years. The other suspect that was involved in the robbery was earlier charged in court on 11 April 2018 with the offence of robbery with hurt.
“The Police will not condone anyone committing such serious offences and profiting from the proceeds of the crime. We will spare no efforts in pursuing such criminals and deal with them in accordance with the law.” said, Commander of Central Police Division, Assistant Commissioner of Police (AC) Arthur Law, Commending the good arrest and reiterated Police’s tough stance against crime in a press release.
The Police would like to advise members of the public to avoid carrying large amounts of cash, and to always exercise caution when dealing with people whom you are unfamiliar with.
