Passer-by helps nab suspect who fled with $16.4k gold chain during Carousell meet-up
A 23-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly stealing a gold chain worth about $16,400 from a Carousell seller and carrying an offensive weapon in public.
The police said they received a call for assistance on Aug 10 at about 10.35pm at Commonwealth Avenue West.
The victim had listed the gold chain for sale on Carousell and arranged to meet a potential buyer at Clementi Avenue 4.
During the meet-up, when the victim placed the gold chain on a weighing machine to show its weight, the man allegedly took the chain under the pretext of examining it more closely and fled.
The victim gave chase and, with the help of passer-by Mr Lee Yew Thye, detained the suspect along Commonwealth Avenue West.
Police officers who arrived at the scene found the stolen gold chain and a folding knife in the man's possession.
The suspect will be charged in court on Aug 12 with theft and carrying offensive weapons in public places.
The offence of theft carries a jail term of up to three years, a fine, or both. The offence of carrying offensive weapons in public places carries a jail term of up to three years and no less than six strokes of the cane.
Mr Lee was commended for his public-spiritedness at an award ceremony held at Clementi Police Division on Aug 11.
Superintendent Alvin Ong, Commanding Officer of Clementi Neighbourhood Police Centre, praised Mr Lee for stepping forward to assist in the arrest and calling the police, saying he played his part in ensuring Singapore's safety and security.
The police advise the public to remain alert when meeting potential buyers or sellers in person, especially when carrying valuables or large sums of cash. They also urge people to avoid secluded places and to report suspicious activity by calling 999.
