Police have arrested three women and two men, aged between 26 to 41 years old, after they attempted to steal from a man inside a departmental store in Chinatown this afternoon.

On 9 July 2010 at about 1pm, officers from Central Police Division were conducting routine anti-crime patrols in the Chinatown area when they spotted a suspicious man following another man (the victim) who had just exchanged some currency from a money changer. The victim then stepped into a departmental store and the officers saw four more persons joining the first man who had tailed the victim. As the victim was going up the escalator, the group of five rushed towards him and stood around him as the escalator was moving up. Just before the escalator reached the next level, a man from the group who was standing in front of the victim bent down to pick up his sunglasses which he dropped. This gesture effectively blocked the victim’s path and the other four persons took the opportunity to hustle around the victim. At this juncture, the eagle-eyed officers saw a woman from the group reaching into the victim’s trousers pocket. Seeing this, the officers moved in and detained the group of five before they could flee. The victim’s money consisting of RM 9250 which was in his trousers pocket was found intact.

Four of the suspects will be charged in Court on 10 July 2010 for the offence of Loitering With Intent To Commit Theft From Person With Common Intention under Sec 27(h) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act read with Section 34 of the Penal Code, Chapter 224, which carries a jail term up to three months and a fine. The fifth suspect, a woman, will be charged in Court on 10 July 2010 for Attempted Theft from Person under Section 379 read with Section 511 of the Penal Code, Chapter 224, which carries a jail term of up to three years and a fine.

Commander of Central Police Division, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Tan Hung Hooi, commended his officers for their vigilance and quick-action which resulted in the successful arrest. At the same time, he would like to remind members of public to take care of their personal belongings at all times, especially in crowded places, and to be wary of strangers who follow them too closely.