Police have arrested two diamond thieves at the Singapore International Jewellery Show (SIJS) 2010 held at Marina Bay Sands Singapore on 29 Jul 2010. In a separate case at the same location that day, a 43-year-old Filipina woman was also arrested on suspicion of attempted theft.

On 29 Jul 2010 at about 2.10pm, officers from Central Police Division were conducting anti-crime rounds at the SIJS. The eagle-eyed officers spotted two men behaving suspiciously at one of the booths, where one of them was seen talking to an exhibitor while the other appeared to be taking something from the booth. Both men left hurriedly thereafter. Seeing this, the officers immediately gave chase and detained the two men outside the exhibition hall. Two diamonds valued about $10,000 in total belonging to the said exhibitor were found on one of the suspects.

In a separate case earlier, the officers also arrested a 43-year-old Filipina woman after she was observed to be following visitors of the show closely and was believed to have attempted to steal from their bags.

The two male suspects, aged 39 and 42, will be charged in Court 26 on 31 Jul 2010 for the offence of Theft-in-Dwelling with Common Intention under Sec 380 read with Section 34 of the Penal Code, Chapter 224, which carries a jail term of 7 years and fine if convicted. The female suspect will be charged in court for the offence of Loitering With Intent To Commit Theft From Person under Sec 27(h) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Chapter 184, which carries a jail term up to three months and a fine.

Commander of Central Police Division, Deputy Assistant Commissioner (DAC) Tan Hung Hooi, commended his officers for their vigilance and quick-action which resulted in the successful arrests. 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.