Police have arrested three male youths aged between 14 and 20 years old who is believed to have robbed a 12 year-old victim inside a lift in the afternoon of 28 July 2010.

On 28 July 2010 at about 4.30 pm, Police were alerted that a 12 year-old boy had been robbed by three unknown youths inside a lift at Block 305 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1. The three suspects had followed the victim into the lift and robbed him of his MP3 player and wallet. When the lift door opened, they dashed out of the lift and fled down the stairs.

Upon being notified, officers from Ang Mo Kio Police Division responded promptly. However, the culprits were no longer at the scene. Undeterred, the officers conducted ground enquires and carried out a coordinated search of the area.Their efforts paid off when they spotted a male youth fitting the description of one of the suspects in the vicinity of Block 350 Ang Mo Kio. The said youth fled upon seeing the Police but his efforts were in vain. The officers detained him shortly after as they found him hiding underneath a makeshift stage at Block 333 Ang Mo Kio. In the meantime, another group of officers involved in the search operation had spotted another suspect in the vicinity of Block 411 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10. The officers followed him to a unit where they arrested him. The victim’s MP3 player was recovered from his possession. Following the arrests of the two suspects, the victim’s wallet was also subsequently recovered from the playground at Block 319 Ang Mo Kio.

Though extensive follow-up investigations, the officers managed to establish the possible haunts of the third suspect. Stake out operations were immediately carried out. On 28 July 2010 at about 6.15 am, the third suspect was arrested in the vicinity of Block 406 Ang Mo Kio. Preliminary investigations revealed that the trio was believed to be responsible for several property offences in the Ang Mo Kio and Yishun estates.

The three suspects will be charged in Court on 30 July 2010 for Robbery which carries a maximum of 14 years imprisonment.

Commander of Ang Mo Kio Police Division, Deputy Assistant Commissioner of Police Hsu Sin Yun, commended his officers for their excellent coordination and investigative work which led to the successful arrest of the suspects. He also advised members of the public to note the following crime prevention measures:

- Avoid taking the same lift with suspicious persons;
- When taking the lift alone, stand beside the lift control panel and press the 'DOOR OPEN' button to exit immediately if any suspicious person rushes in; and
- Should you become a victim of crime, do not resist but take note of the description of the culprit, e.g. his appearance, height, physical details, attire, and the direction and mode of escape. Call the Police as soon as it is safe to do so