SINGAPORE: A 19-year-old man will be charged in court on Monday for a series of break-ins in Ang Mo Kio.

The Malaysian, who will be charged with housebreaking and theft by night, faces a jail term of up to 7 years if convicted.

Police arrested the waiter in the wee hours of Sunday morning during an ambush in various areas of Ang Mo Kio Neighbourhood 6.

He was spotted at Block 643 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 4, standing on a stool and peering into a unit.

Prior to this, he was involved in at least 12 cases of break-ins since December, taking with him items and cash valued at about S$6,000.

The man would typically target units with windows left unsecured, or with louvres that are easily forced open.

Striking in the early hours of the morning, he would use a bamboo pole, metal rod or umbrella to "fish" out items such as wallets, handbags or mobile phones left near the windows.

In some cases where the door keys were left within reach, the culprit would "fish" out the keys, open the main door and walk away with the valuables.

In his latest attempt which led to his arrest, police saw the man moving from one floor to another, before stopping at a unit on the fourth floor of the block.

He was nabbed as he was trying to force open the windows of the unit.

Two stools, a metal pole and a mobile phone were seized.

Police also recovered from his residence two other mobile phones and an EZ-link card believed to be stolen property.

Following the arrest, police urge the public to install good quality window grilles, secure their windows before going to bed, and be mindful not to leave valuables next to the windows along the common corridor.


- CNA/so