Police have arrested a 21-year-old man who is believed to be involved in at least ten cases of theft in dwelling and theft committed in various parts of Singapore.

The suspect is believed to have targeted victims who had advertised to rent out rooms in their residential units and would arrange to meet up with them at their units on the pretext of viewing the room. The suspect would then take the opportunity to steal from the unit once inside.

Officers from Ang Mo Kio Police Division noted the suspect's modus operandi and studied the crime pattern carefully. Through follow-up investigations, the officers managed to establish the identity of the suspect. In an operation on 30 August 2010, the suspect was arrested in the vicinity of Sun Plaza Shopping Centre off Sembawang Drive at about 1.15pm. Police subsequently recovered an array of stolen properties such as two mobile phones, one I-pod, one laptop, and an assortment of Ezlink cards, credit cards, ATM cards, work permits and Singapore Identity cards. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect was also believed to have stolen unattended belongings in various shopping centres.

The suspect will be charged in Court No. 26 on 1 September 2010 for the offences of Theft in Dwelling under Section 380 of the Penal Code Chapter 224, which carries a maximum jail term of 7 years imprisonment, and shall be liable to a fine; and Theft under Section 379 of the Penal Code Chapter 224, which carries a maximum jail term of 3 years imprisonment, or with fine, or with both.

Commander of Ang Mo Kio Police Division, Deputy Assistant Commissioner of Police Hsu Sin Yun, commended his officers for their perseverance and good investigative work in tracking down the serial thief and putting a stop to his crime spree.