Students, bus driver and off-duty police officers nab snatch thief
By Margaret Perry, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 06 September 2009 2345 hrs
SINGAPORE : A thief who had snatched a gold necklace from an elderly woman proved to be no match for the combined efforts of six students, an SBS bus driver and two off-duty police officers.
On Saturday at about 10am, a 61-year-old woman was waiting for the lift at Block 219 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1, when a man suddenly came from behind and snatched a gold necklace from around her neck.
He fled towards the direction of Ang Mo Kio Avenue 6.
The victim's cries attracted the attention of six students, aged 13 to 14 years old, who were doing volunteer work at a nearby block.
The students immediately chased after the suspect and saw him running into a double-decker bus which was about to move off from the bus stop.
The students alerted the bus driver, and two off-duty police officers who were inside the bus noticed the commotion and came forward to offer their assistance.
Led by the two off-duty officers, the group went up to the upper deck of the bus where they spotted the suspect.
The officers immediately detained him.
Preliminary investigations revealed the suspect may be involved in several similar cases of snatch theft in the Ang Mo Kio area.
The 44-year-old suspect will be charged in court on Monday for snatch theft which carries a maximum punishment of seven years imprisonment and caning. - CNA /ls
By Margaret Perry, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 06 September 2009 2345 hrs
SINGAPORE : A thief who had snatched a gold necklace from an elderly woman proved to be no match for the combined efforts of six students, an SBS bus driver and two off-duty police officers.
On Saturday at about 10am, a 61-year-old woman was waiting for the lift at Block 219 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1, when a man suddenly came from behind and snatched a gold necklace from around her neck.
He fled towards the direction of Ang Mo Kio Avenue 6.
The victim's cries attracted the attention of six students, aged 13 to 14 years old, who were doing volunteer work at a nearby block.
The students immediately chased after the suspect and saw him running into a double-decker bus which was about to move off from the bus stop.
The students alerted the bus driver, and two off-duty police officers who were inside the bus noticed the commotion and came forward to offer their assistance.
Led by the two off-duty officers, the group went up to the upper deck of the bus where they spotted the suspect.
The officers immediately detained him.
Preliminary investigations revealed the suspect may be involved in several similar cases of snatch theft in the Ang Mo Kio area.
The 44-year-old suspect will be charged in court on Monday for snatch theft which carries a maximum punishment of seven years imprisonment and caning. - CNA /ls
