Gold thefts up as prices rise

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Gold thefts up as prices rise
By Ng Lian Cheong | Posted: 21 October 2010 2059 hrs
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SINGAPORE: As the price of gold rises, so has the number of gold thefts at pawn shops.

Since the start of this year, there has been an average of two cases a month.

These thieves, usually men between the ages of 20 and 70, go to pawn shops wearing hats or shades and pretend to be customers.

Staff in shops dealing with gold have since become more wary of people matching this description.

Some have also found ways to scare thieves away.

"We will alert the staff, those who are actually younger or muscular and ask them to come out to the door side," said Ivan __, President of the Singapore Pawnbrokers Association.

-CNA/ac