Police have arrested two youths, aged 16 and 17, for a series of motorcycle thefts committed at multi-storey carparks in the Jalan Tenteram and Toa Payoh housing estates.

Since early August 2010, there have been a spate of motorcycle thefts reported at the said multi-storey carparks. In all the cases, the stolen motorcycles were subsequently recovered near the vicinity of the crime. In response, Tanglin Police Division set up a task force to study the crime patterns and also mounted several ambushes in a bid to apprehend the culprit(s).

On 23 and 24 August 2010, two motorcycles were reported stolen from the same multi-storey carpark in Jalan Tenteram. On 24 August 2010 at 5.30 pm, officers who were staking out the said carpark spotted two youths loitering in the area. The officers kept watch and saw the suspects meddling with a motorcycle. At this juncture, the officers moved in and detained them. One of the suspects was found in possession of a key which is believed to have been used to steal motorcycles. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects are also believed to be involved in at least seven other cases of theft of motorcycle in the area.

Both suspects will be charged in Court 26 on 26 August 2010 for an offence of Theft of Motor Vehicle with common intention under Section 379A read with Section 34 of the Penal Code, Chapter 224. This offence carries a punishment of a jail term which may extend to seven years, and a fine.

Commander of Tanglin Police Division, Deputy Assistant Commissioner of Police (DAC) Koh Yak Leng, commended his officers for their perseverance and good investigative work which resulted in the successful arrest of the serial motorcycle thieves. DAC Koh also advised motorcycle owners to:

- Park their motorcycle at well-lit areas;

- Remove the ignition key and lock the motorcycle before leaving, even for a short while;

- Secure the motorcycle with additional locks.