Police have arrested three men aged between 16 and 23 years old who are believed to be responsible for at least 15 cases of motor vehicle thefts in Hougang, Yishun, Punggol and Tampines estates.

Between end March and early April 2010, a spate of motor vehicle thefts was reported at the car parks of Hougang Yishun, Punggol and Tampines estates. Following the report, officers from Ang Mo Kio Police Division conducted extensive investigative probes and managed to establish identities of the suspects. An immediate operation was conducted and their residences and favorite haunts were combed to apprehend them.

On 3 April 2010 at about 8.00 pm, the officers spotted two of the suspects aged 22 and 23 years old at a void deck in Hougang. They were caught red-handed while in the midst of changing some motorcycle parts and the registration plate of a stolen motorcycle which they had earlier stolen in Yishun. They were immediately placed under arrest. A stolen motorcycle and van were recovered at the scene.

A third suspect was subsequently arrested on 3 April 2010 at about 10.15 pm in the vicinity of Ang Mo Kio. Following the arrests, Police have since recovered a total of 10 motorcycles and 1 van. Investigations revealed that in most of the cases, the registration number plates of the motorcycles would either be affixed with a false plate or their parts would be stripped leaving behind only the chassis. Investigations and efforts to recover the other stolen motor vehicles are still on-going.

The three suspects will be charged in Court 26 on 5 April 2010 for an offence of Theft of Motor Vehicle under Section 379A of the Penal Code, Chapter 224. If convicted the offender faces punishment of a jail term which may extend to seven years and a fine.

Commander of Ang Mo Kio Police Division, Deputy Assistant Commissioner of Police Hsu Sin Yun, commended his officers for their excellent investigative work and hard work leading to the successful arrest of the serial offenders. He would like to advise owners of motor vehicles to :

• Park the motor vehicles in well-lit areas;

• Remove the ignition key and lock the motor vehicle whenever it is left unattended, even if it is only for a short while; and

• Install an anti-theft alarm.