Uzbek teen, mum arrested for stealing items worth nearly $6,500 from Changi Airport shops

A 39-year-old Uzbekistan woman and her 16-year-old son will be charged in court on Wednesday (Sept 16) for their involvement in separate cases of shop thefts committed within the transit area of Changi Airport.

Police said on Tuesday night that they were alerted to a case of shop theft at a retail outlet in the transit area of Changi Airport Terminal 2 at about 6.45pm on Aug 28.

Upon discovering that three pairs of sunglasses were missing from the shop's display shelf, a retail assistant reviewed the shop's closed circuit television (CCTV) footage and found that the teen had allegedly taken three pairs of sunglasses valued at $1,462.38, without making payment.

Officers from the Airport Police Division located the mother and son pair before their departure. The sunglasses, along with other items that were believed to be stolen, were recovered.

Subsequent investigations established that the boy had allegedly stolen an assortment of items worth $4,887.03 from six retail stores within the transit area.

Separately, his mother allegedly stole a box of perfume valued at $149.90 from a retail store, and she also received a pair of the stolen sunglasses from her son.

He will be charged with six counts of theft in dwelling, while his mother will be charged with one count of theft in dwelling and one count of receiving stolen property.

The offence of theft in dwelling carries an imprisonment term of up to seven years, a fine, or both.

Those found guilty of receiving stolen property could be jailed for up to five years, fined, or both.

The police warned would-be perpetrators that they take a serious view of shop theft and will deal firmly with offenders in accordance with the law.

"Offenders should not assume that they can evade detection after committing such offences," the police said, adding that they will continue to work closely with stakeholders to prevent and deter shop theft at Changi Airport.

一名 39 岁的乌兹别克斯坦女子和她 16 岁的儿子将于周三（9 月 16 日）在法庭上被控犯有在樟宜机场中转区发生的两起商店盗窃案。

警方周二晚间表示，他们于8月28日下午6点45分左右接到报案，称樟宜机场2号航站楼转机区的一家零售店发生盗窃案。

一名零售助理发现商店展示架上少了三副太阳镜后，查看了商店的闭路电视录像，发现这名青少年涉嫌拿走了三副价值 1462.38 美元的太阳镜，但没有付款。

机场警局的警员在母子二人离开前找到了他们。被盗的太阳镜以及其他一些物品也被追回。

后续调查证实，该男孩涉嫌从交通枢纽内的六家零售店盗窃了价值 4,887.03 美元的各种物品。

另外，据称他的母亲从一家零售店偷走了一盒价值 149.90 美元的香水，并且还从儿子那里收到了一副偷来的太阳镜。

他将被指控六项入室盗窃罪，而他的母亲将被指控一项入室盗窃罪和一项接收赃物罪。

入室盗窃罪最高可判处七年监禁、罚款或两者并罚。

被判犯有接收赃物罪的人，最高可被判处五年监禁、罚款或两者并罚。

警方警告潜在的犯罪分子，他们对商店盗窃行为高度重视，并将依法严惩违法者。

警方表示：“犯罪分子不应以为作案后就能逃脱侦查。”他们还补充说，将继续与各利益相关方密切合作，以防止和阻止樟宜机场的商店盗窃行为。