Police have arrested a 49 year-old Chinese man last night who is believed to be involved in several cases of break-ins at education/childcare/family service centres located at HDB void decks islandwide.

The modus operandi employed involved gaining entry into the premises of the centre by tampering with the windows grilles or doors. In most cases, cash between $500 to $1,000 were stolen from the centres.

Through extensive follow-up investigation, intensive enquiries and having conducted a detailed crime analysis, officers from Bedok Police Division managed to establish a profile of the suspect. In an effort to apprehend the suspect, the Police had also issued an appeal for information on the suspect via the print media and Razor TV. Although the culprit remained elusive, the officers persevered and continued with their efforts to track him down. On 3 May 2010 at about 10.17pm, the suspect was arrested at Blk 575 Pasir Ris Street 52 in a coordinated police operation as he was attempting to break into another childcare centre. Items such as screwdrivers, a cutter, a torchlight and some cash were also seized from suspect.

The suspect will be charged in Court 26 at 9am on 5 May 2010 for Housebreaking & Theft by Night under Section 457 of the Penal Code, Chapter 224. If convicted, he faces imprisonment of up to 14 years.

Commander of Bedok Police Division, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Teo Chun Ching commended his officers for their resourcefulness and teamwork that resulted in the arrest of the culprit. “My officers have worked tirelessly round the clock to solve this case. I am glad that we have finally put a stop to his crime spree.”