Aussie who allegedly shoplifted perfume in airport caught before flight, thanks to woman's vigilance
An Australian woman, 41, was on Sept 16 charged with theft in dwelling after she was arrested at Changi Airport for allegedly shoplifting perfume.
While browsing in an airport store on Sept 2, the woman allegedly concealed a box of perfume partially beneath a white cap in her trolley.
Ms Prescilla Yeo Siew Ling noticed this.
She kept an eye on the woman and subsequently observed her hiding the perfume under her jacket before leaving the store without paying for it.
Ms Yeo quickly alerted a security officer, who followed the woman and detained her in the transit area. The police were called and subsequently arrested the woman before her departure to Australia.
Police investigations revealed that the woman also allegedly stole two boxes of perfumes from another store in the transit area.
The offence of theft in dwelling carries an imprisonment term of up to seven years and a fine.
On Sept 18, Ms Yeo was presented the Public Spiritedness Award by Assistant Commissioner of Police (AC) M Malathi, Commander of Airport Police Division, for assisting the police in the case.
AC M Malathi said, "Airport Police would like to thank Ms Prescilla for her exceptional vigilance.
"By diligently monitoring the situation and working in coordination with the security officer to go after the female customer, she played a crucial role in the successful and expedient arrest of the serial shoplifter, who otherwise would have left the country."
The commander added: "We will not allow the perception that persons who commit shop theft at the transit areas will get away with their crime by taking the next flight out of Singapore."
