Since June 1, 2024, Singapore has witnessed a spike in burglary cases targetting landed properties, reports said. An estimated amount of SGD 3.85 million in cash and valuables have been stolen during these housebreaking activities.
Singapore Police have already arrested three foreigners and recovered SGD 1.36 million from them. Additionally, law enforcement officers have identified 14 other people who can help them in the investigations.
Citing police officials, the Straits Times reported that the ‘suspects are believed to be transient travellers’ who stayed in the city-state from one or two days before breaking into the houses.
While most affected homes are located in and around the Rail Corridor and Bukit Timah Road, one house in Windsor Park Road, in the Bishan area, was also looted.
Home Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam has said that the three arrested foreign nationals are from China. They have been identified as Luo Changchang, 43, Long Zhihua, 38, Wu Jinxing, 27. While the 43-year-old and 38-year-old are facing one charge of housebreaking each, Wu Jinxing is facing one charge of possessing benefits of crime.
“Preliminary investigations suggest that these three appear to be linked to foreign syndicates. Police have also identified 14 other persons – all Chinese nationals – who they think will be able to assist in their investigations,” he said on the sidelines of a community event in Chong Pang on August 17, as quoted by ST.
The lawmaker said that the burglary syndicates are quite sophisticated and are working in small groups. Shanmugam said the Singapore Police Force is working closely with Chinese authorities to locate the 14 other individuals and find information about them.
Explaining the burglary model, the minister said one group steals items and hides them in forested areas and leaves the place, while another goes and retrieves them.
The law minister said SPF will be installing police cameras (PolCams) in private residential areas to prevent such crimes and help them in investigation in the future.
On Saturday, August 17, law enforcement officials also named the 14 Chinese nationals: Wu Jianxin, Huang Ziquan, Chang Yanguo, Wei Yongguo, Long Zhaohai, Luo Anding, Mo Zhengguo, Ling Yingjie, Chen Fuan, Long Yongjiu, Long Chaochang, Wei Mingzhen, Huang Huitang and Liu Laixiang.
