Police nab serial thief who stole valuables from taxis

SINGAPORE: A serial thief believed to be responsible for at least five cases of stealing in taxis has been nabbed by the police.

The 33—year—old man is said to have stolen valuables, such as cash and mobile phones, from taxi drivers between July 20 and August 1.

The suspect employed the same methods to carry out his thefts in each of the five cases.

After flagging down the taxi, he would direct the driver to a nearby polyclinic.

Upon reaching the destination, the suspect would inform the driver about a punctured tire or a dent on the back of the taxi.

When the driver stepped out to inspect the damage, the suspect would steal the valuables from the front compartment of the taxi.

He would then leave the scene on the pretext of picking up his family member from the polyclinic.

The suspect promises he would return but, instead, disappears.

The law finally caught up with the suspect on Friday, and he was arrested at Ubi Avenue 1.

He will be charged with theft on Saturday.

If convicted, he could be jailed up to three years, fined, or both.

— CNA/wm