Missing backpack from Changi Airport shop leads to arrest of 2 Indian nationals before they fly off
The police were alerted to a case of theft after a backpack worth more than $180 was discovered missing from a shop in the transit area of Changi Airport on June 24.
Through ground enquiries and with the aid of images from CCTV, officers from the Airport Police Division quickly established the identity of Indian male national Anugrah Masih, 32, and Indian female national, Stanly Martina Sonakashi, 31.
The two were arrested before they departed.
Further investigations revealed that they were involved in theft of perfumes worth more than $360 from two shops in the transit area on the same day.
On July 5, Anugrah was convicted for theft and fined $4,500 while Stanly was convicted for receiving stolen property and fined $1,000.
"The quick action of the staff member to check the CCTV footage and promptly alerting the police, played a crucial role in the successful and expedient arrest of the shoplifters," said Commander of Airport Police Division M Malathi.
"Credit also goes to the responding officers for their keen observation skills and good ground knowledge that led to the quick arrest of the subjects, who otherwise would have left the country.
"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."
