Police have arrested a 20-year-old man who is believed to be involved in a spate of motorcycle thefts in Hougang with the assistance of three public-spirited members of the public.

Between end June and early August 2010, a spate of motorcycle thefts was reported in the Hougang estate area. One motorcycle was subsequently recovered from Lorong 4 Geylang while another three were recovered within the Hougang estate area itself. Following the reports, officers from Ang Mo Kio Police Division studied the crime pattern and conducted extensive investigative probes.

On 5 August 2010 at about 8.30 am , a motorcycle was reported missing from the vicinity of Hougang Street 51. Upon the receipt of the report, the officers sprung into action and combed the entire area. On the same day at about 3.00 pm , the officers managed to locate the stolen motorcycle at a carpark in Hougang Avenue 8. Believing that the culprit may turn up to retrieve the stolen motorcycle, the officers decided to mount an ambush. At about 4.20 pm , their efforts paid off when they saw a man walking towards the motorcycle. As he was starting the engine and about to move off, the officers moved in and detained him. However, the suspect resisted arrest and a struggle ensued.

At this juncture, 62-year-old Mr Jabalal Nadasan who happened to be in the vicinity came forward to help. At the same time, he shouted to 2 Bangladeshi nationals, 29-year-old Mr Sharif Patwari Abdul Rajjak and 23-year-old Mr Suman Kumar Das Romananda, who were passing by to assist. With the assistance of the three public-spirited members of the public, the suspect was successfully subdued. Upon his arrest, the stolen motorcycle, a bunch of keys and one helment were recovered and seized as case exhibits. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect is believed to be involved in at least 5 cases of motorcycle thefts in the Hougang area.

The suspect will be charged in Court 26 on 7 August 2010 for the offence of theft of motor vehicle under Section 379A of the Penal Code, Chapter 224 which carries a punishment of a jail term which may extend to seven years, and a fine.

Deputy Commander of Ang Mo Kio Police Division, Superintendent of Police Manimaran Pushpanathan, commended his officers for their excellent investigative work and the three members of the public for their public-spiritedness. He said, "This case highlights the effectiveness and importance of Police-community partnership in fighting crime". Meanwhile, he would like to advise all owners of motor vehicles to note the following crime prevention measures: