Australian was caught stealing goods worth $3,000 at Changi Airport, lawyer pleads for leniency

SINGAPORE: An Australian man went on a shoplifting spree at Changi Airport while waiting for his connecting flight, and in less than three hours, he managed to steal a designer suitcase, pyjamas, and sunglasses worth $3,000. When he was caught, it was revealed that this was not the first time he had stolen while waiting for his connecting flight. 

The culprit was caught in the departure area after a shop assistant called the police. The 45-year-old man faced 10 counts of theft and pleaded guilty to three of them. After considering the remaining counts, the judge sentenced him to 10 days in jail. 

According to the prosecution, the man took a suitcase worth more than $1,000 from a store shelf and left without paying, and the store’s CCTV captured the crime. Furthermore, he stole a Victoria’s Secret pink pyjama set worth more than $100, and two pairs of Oakley sunglasses, each costing more than $300. He also stole a pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses worth more than $300, a brown Adidas bag worth more than $80, and a Starbucks thermos worth more than $50. Other items that he stole included a luggage tag, five bracelets, and a black baseball cap. 

After the police received information about the thefts from one of the stores, the suspect was caught at the departure check-in. His luggage was searched on the spot, and all the stolen items were found. Furthermore, police investigations confirmed that the man also stole a shoulder bag worth more than $600 earlier this year while transiting in Singapore and a passport cover costing more than $40 last year. 

Despite all the crimes committed, the Australian’s lawyer pleaded for leniency, stating that the man suffers from alcohol use disorder and that he committed the crime after drinking on the plane. The lawyer also stated that not all the items stolen were expensive, and the man had the means to pay for them. It was unclear why the suspect chose to steal. He has now made full restitution.

The lawyer also said that the suspect can’t go back to his country because of the case and is likely to lose his job.