Cabby leaves taxi unlocked with engine running in hotel driveway, returns 5 min later and it's gone
A taxi driver left his vehicle unlocked with the engine running for just five minutes in the driveway of a hotel.
But when he returned, his cab was gone.
The police were alerted to the case at Jalan Rajah in Balestier at about 2.45am on Sept 13.
Through ground enquiries and with the aid of images from police cameras and CCTV footage, officers from Tanglin Police Division and Ang Mo Kio Police Division established the identity of a suspect and arrested him within seven hours of the report.
The stolen taxi was recovered on the same day.
The 28-year-old man was charged in court on Sept 14 with theft of motor vehicle, which carries an imprisonment term of up to seven years and a fine.
The police advise all motor vehicle owners to adopt the following crime prevention measures:
- Park your vehicle in well-lit areas.
- Install an anti-theft alarm system for your vehicle and ensure it is well-maintained.
- Remove cash cards and other valuables, such as laptops and mobile phones before leaving the vehicle.
- Lock all vehicle doors and wind up all windows when leaving the vehicle, even if it is for a short while.
- Remove the ignition key and lock the vehicle whenever it is left unattended.
