SINGAPORE: A member of a Chinese criminal syndicate who flew into Singapore solely to commit theft was sentenced to five-and-a-half years’ jail on 25 July 2025.
The individual, identified as Luo Changchang, 44, had broken into a residence in the affluent Windsor Park estate in Upper Thomson and made off with S$570,100 worth of jewellery.
The sentencing was handed down after Luo pleaded guilty to one count of housebreaking to commit theft.
His accomplice, 39-year-old Chinese national Long Zhihua, remains at large after absconding while out on bail.
Long’s bailor and another man who assisted him in obtaining bail have since been charged.
According to court proceedings, Luo arrived in Singapore from Shenzhen, China, on 21 June 2024.
He had a return ticket scheduled for eight days later.
During his stay, Luo lodged at a hotel along Geylang Road, sharing a room paid for by Long, who had arrived in Singapore earlier.
Both men were part of a larger criminal syndicate based in Guangxi, China.
The court was informed that they travelled to Singapore with the specific intention of targeting residential properties for theft.
Authorities believe at least five other Chinese nationals linked to the same syndicate entered Singapore around June 2024 for similar criminal purposes.
On the day of Luo’s arrival, he and Long surveyed the Windsor Park Road estate.
Noticing that one house was unlit, they scaled its wall and entered the property at around 7.40pm.
Inside, the duo rummaged through drawers, placing valuables into a plastic bag.
They also caused damage to a door during the break-in.
Approximately 30 minutes later, they exited the premises the same way they had entered—by climbing over the wall—with S$570,100 worth of jewellery in their possession.
The pair lingered in the estate, reportedly searching for more homes to target, and only left the area at about 9.45pm.
The victim, upon returning to her bedroom two hours later, discovered that her jewellery was missing.
The items had been stored on a tray atop a piano. She found additional valuables were also gone and alerted the police.
Investigators used closed-circuit television footage from neighbouring homes to trace Luo and Long.
Both were apprehended on 26 June 2024.
Some stolen items were found in their hotel room, but valuables worth approximately S$390,200 remain unaccounted for.
Luo has not cooperated with police regarding the unrecovered items.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Timotheus Koh requested a sentence of between five-and-a-half and six years’ jail, citing the high value of the stolen goods and Luo’s affiliation with a criminal syndicate.
He also emphasised that Luo carried out the offence under cover of darkness, a significant aggravating factor in sentencing considerations.
He referenced a comparable case involving an individual named He Xiuwei, which involved theft of property valued at S$118,400.
Koh stressed the need for deterrence, stating: “The accused was part of a house-breaking syndicate and the only reason he came to Singapore was to commit housebreaking and theft. This is troubling.”
He underscored the importance of sending a clear message that Singapore is not a soft target and will not tolerate such conduct here.
Under Singaporean law, housebreaking to commit theft carries a potential penalty of up to 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine.
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