Serial armed robber arrested

7 May 2008

POLICE have arrested a man believed to be involved in at least five armed robberies targeting women at the vicinity of Rochor Road, Jalan Sultan and Tyrwhitt Road.

He first struck at the car park of Rochor Centre on April 16 April when he entered the car of a 41-year-old Chinese woman and robbed her of S$100 cash, a mobile phone valued at $400 and a cash card with $35 stored value at knifepoint.

He also took an ATM card from the victim and later withdrew $900 from her bank account after demanding she reveal her PIN.

Over the next ten days, he robbed another four women aged between 21 and 55. Each time, he confronted them with a knife or a screwdriver in public areas in the early morning between 1.30am and 6.15am.

The five victims lost their handbags, cash and other property with a total value of about $3,750.

A Special Task Force comprising officers from the Investigation and Intelligence Branches of Central Police Division was formed to track down the culprit.

The Special Task Force had a breakthrough when finger prints were found on the documents kept in the first victim's hand bag which the suspect had rummaged through.

On Tuesday, at about 4.30pm, the Special Task Force caught the man at the back lane of Lorong 19 Geylang.

Three cash cards, an orange paper cutter, two screw drivers, three black jackets and a cap were seized from his car which was parked nearby.

The suspect, a 42-year-old Chinese man, will be charged in court on Thursday for armed robbery.

If convicted, he can be jailed for between three and 14 years, and caned at least 12 strokes.