Six arrested for breaking into hardware shop in Queenstown

SINGAPORE: Police have arrested four men and two women for allegedly breaking into a hardware shop in Queenstown on Wednesday evening.

Police said a resident had reported seeing a group of people loitering and behaving suspiciously at a void deck in Stirling Road.

Within minutes, police arrived at the scene and found the rear window of a hardware shop broken.

One of the suspects, a 52—year—old male, was spotted nearby. He was detained after a short chase by the officers. The suspect was arrested following an interview.

Through follow—up investigations, five other suspects, aged 17 to 21 years, were arrested in the areas of Tanglin Halt and West Coast Road on Thursday.

Several industrial tools amounting to about S$600 were seized.

Two of the suspects were believed to have entered the hardware shop through the rear window while the other suspects acted as lookouts.

Police said four male suspects will be charged in court for housebreaking and theft. If convicted, they face a jail term of up to 14 years.

Investigations against the two females, aged 17 and 20 years, are ongoing.

Police commends the resident’s public spiritedness in raising alert about the case.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner of Police Melvin Yong said the arrest showcases the importance of partnership between the community and the police in fighting crime.

—CNA/ac