Three people have been arrested and charged so far in relation to 10 housebreaking cases in Singapore between Jun. 1, and Aug. 4.
2024. The cases appear to be linked to foreign syndicates involving Chinese nationals and mostly occurred at private residential estates in the vicinity of the Rail Corridor and Bukit Timah Road. The police are searching for an additional 14 individuals who are currently outside Singapore to assist in investigations.
The total value of stolen items in the 10 cases was approximately S$3.85 million, with around S$1.36 million of that amount recovered.
Speaking to the media on Aug. 17, Minister for Home Affairs and Law K. Shanmugam said that the police are engaging the Chinese authorities to get assistance and more information to locate the 14 individuals.
The foreign syndicates are believed to operate in small groups, breaking into residences by scaling walls or fences, the police stated. After committing the crimes, they quickly leave the scene and attempt to exit Singapore to evade detection, the police added. In some cases, stolen items are hidden in nearby forested areas and later retrieved by accomplices.
The targeted properties are often near park connectors or forested areas, which provide cover for their activities. The suspects are thought to be transient travellers who entered Singapore on Social Visit Passes, typically one to two days before committing the offences. Previously, a 27-year-old Chinese man, Wu Jinxing, was charged on Jul.
29,.