Police arrested a 23 year-old man earlier this afternoon who is believed to be responsible for two cases of snatch theft reported in the Tanglin Halt and Holland Avenue housing estates.

On 14 January 2010 at about 1.00 am , while a 32 year-old woman was walking at the void deck of Blk 9 Holland Avenue, an unknown male suspect approached her from behind and grabbed her handbag. He then fled towards Holland Close. A similar case involving another 47 year-old female victim had been reported at Tanglin Halt housing estate about a week earlier. Investigations indicated that the suspect was likely to be the same person as the descriptions provided by the victims were similar.

Since the first case was reported, officers from Clementi Police Division had been conducting extensive investigations and enquiries in an attempt to identify and apprehend the elusive suspect. Ambushes were also conducted at the various housing estates and other locations. The officers' efforts finally paid off today when they spotted the suspect along Lorong 10 Geylang Road at about 2.00 pm . Upon a check, a pass belonging to the 32 year-old victim and an EZ-link card was found in the suspect’s possession. The suspect was immediately placed under arrest.

The suspect will be charged in Court on 29 January 2009 for the offence of Snatch Theft under Section 356 of the Penal Code, Chapter 224. If convicted, he can be sentenced to a maximum imprisonment term of 7 years and shall also be liable to caning.

Commander of Clementi Police Division, Deputy Assistant Commissioner of Police Ng Yeow Boon, commended his officers for their good investigative work which resulted in the arrest of the suspect.