Police arrested a 39-year-old Indian man yesterday who is believed to be involved in more than 20 cases of theft from vehicle, including the recent case involving seven cars at Telok Blangah Crescent which was reported on 30 Aug 09.

Since Aug 09, there has been a spate of theft from vehicle cases committed at the carparks at Lower Delta Industrial Estate, Telok Blangah Crescent and Redhill Road. In most of these cases, the suspect would smash the vehicles’ rear windscreens before making off with the valuables left in the vehicles, including cash cards, cash and mobile phone chargers.

Officers from Clementi Police Division analysed the cases carefully and conducted extensive enquiries to establish the identity of the suspect but he remained elusive. The breakthrough came on 31 Aug 09 when the suspect was arrested for breaking into a mosque along Tiong Bahru Road. On 30 Aug 09 at about 11.00pm, the 58-year-old caretaker of the mosque spotted an unattended bicycle parked at the mosque’s side fence and decided to make a check. Shortly after, the mosque’s security alarm went off and the suspect was seen fleeing from the mosque. The caretaker tried to give chase but to no avail. He then alerted Police to the incident.

Within minutes, officers from Clementi Police Division arrived and conducted a systematic search for the suspect based on the description provided by the caretaker. Their efforts paid off about an hour later when they spotted the suspect at Blk 79 Redhill Lane. The suspect's bicycle, a 1.2-metre-long metal bar believed to have been used by the suspect in committing the break-in, as well as two foldable multi-purpose tools were also seized from the suspect’s possession.

The arrest of the suspect proved to be a breakthrough as extensive follow-up investigations then linked the suspect to the earlier cases of theft from vehicle.

The suspect will be charged in Court on 1 Sept 09 for the offence of Housebreaking by Night under Section 456 of the Penal Code Chapter 224, which carries a maximum punishment of three years imprisonment and shall also be liable to fine. He will also be charged for the offence of Theft under Section 379 of the Penal Code, Chapter 224, which carries a maximum jail term of three years imprisonment, or with fine or both.

Deputy Commander of Clementi Police Division, Superintendent of Police Sam Tee commended his officers for their swift action, good ground work and investigative skills, which resulted in the arrest of the suspect and solving of the cases.