A 17-year-old youth who snatched the purse of a wheelchair bound elderly lady earlier today was swiftly arrested the same morning in no small part due to a public spirited couple who went out of their way to keep watch on him after their suspicious were aroused by his behaviour.

On 11 June 2010 at about 9.30 am, the 84-year-old victim was about to make payment outside a shop at Hougang Avenue 5 when the suspect came from behind and snatched away her purse which contained cash of about $170. As he was fleeing on foot, the suspect bumped into a couple in their thirties who were on their way to work. The nervous behaviour of the suspect aroused the couple’s suspicion, and they decided to trail the suspect to a nearby rubbish collection centre. As they were keeping watch on the suspect, the victim and her maid caught up and informed them of what had happened earlier. The couple immediately called for the Police. At the same time, they stood watch outside the rubbish centre until the arrival of the officers.

Upon being notified, officers from Ang Mo Kio Police Division responded swiftly to the scene and arrested the suspect there and then. A search was conducted on the suspect and he was found to be in possession of the victim’s purse. All the victim’s money was successfully recovered.

The suspect will be charged in Court on 12 June 2010 for an offence of Snatch Theft under Section 356 of the Penal Code, Chapter 224. If convicted, he faces a jail term of up to 7 years and shall be liable for caning.

Commander of Ang Mo Kio Police Division HQ, Deputy Assistant Commissioner of Police Hsu Sin Yun commended the couple for their public-spiritedness. He said, "This successful arrest showcases the importance of Police-community partnership in fighting crime together".