The prompt reflex action of a quick thinking off-duty police officer from Tanglin Police Division resulted in the arrest of a 41-year-old Malay man who had stolen the handbag of a female victim at Somerset MRT yesterday evening.

On 10 June 2009 at about 8.00pm , the victim, a 24-year-old woman, was inside a toilet cubicle at Somerset MRT when she noticed a hand reaching through the opening above the door to remove her handbag which she had hung on the hook of the cubicle door. Upon seeing this, the woman immediately exited the toilet and gave chase after the fleeing suspect. Her cries for help attracted the attention of an off-duty police officer - Sergeant Muhd Rizal, who immediately responded by following in pursuit of the suspect and alerting the Police concurrently while on the move. Officers from Tanglin Police Division responded immediately and together with Sergeant Muhd Rizal, managed to detain the suspect at Grange Road after a short chase.

The victim’s handbag containing cash, a handphone and other personal belongings, amounting to a total of about $600, was also recovered on the spot.

The suspect will be charged in Court on 12 June 2009 for the offence of Theft under Section 379 of the Penal Code which carries a maximum jail term of three years imprisonment, or with fine or both, as well as that of Criminal Trespass under Section 447 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum jail term of three months imprisonment, or a maximum fine of $1,500 or both.

Commander of Tanglin Police Division, Deputy Assistant Commissioner of Police Koh Yak Leng, commended Sergeant Muhd Rizal and the responding officers for their prompt actions which resulted in the arrest of the suspect and recovery of the stolen handbag. He also urged members of public to take care of their personal belongings and to be wary of suspicious characters.