American duo steal perfumes and cardholder at Changi Airport, nabbed before they could leave S'pore
A 35-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman, both American nationals, were arrested for their suspected involvement in multiple cases of shop theft in Changi Airport's transit area.
The police said they were alerted to a case of shop theft at The Shilla Cosmetics & Perfumes outlet at Changi Airport Terminal 1 at about 5.45pm on June 23.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the man had allegedly taken three bottles of perfume, worth a total of $488, from the outlet's display shelf that day and exited the store without paying.
The perfumes were found to be missing by staff members while they were taking inventory stock.
With the aid of CCTV cameras, officers from the Airport Police Division established the identities of the duo and arrested them before they could depart Singapore.
Further investigations revealed that the man had also taken a cardholder, valued at $596.33, from another retail outlet in Terminal 1 on the same day.
He also allegedly stole a bottle of perfume worth $158.40 from another Shilla outlet in the transit area of Terminal 3 while the woman purportedly acted as a lookout.
All five stolen items were recovered from the duo, who will be charged in court on July 23. The man will be charged with the offence of theft in dwelling and the woman will be charged with the offence of theft in dwelling with common intention.
The offence of theft in dwelling carries an imprisonment term of up to seven years, or with a fine, or both. The offence of assisting in disposing stolen property carries an imprisonment term of up to five years and a fine.
The police said they take a serious view of shop theft cases and offenders will be dealt with firmly in accordance with the law.
They added: "Offenders should not think that they can evade capture by quickly boarding a flight. The police will continue to work closely with stakeholders to prevent and deter shop theft cases."
View the gallery for more photos of the recovered items.
