Indian man arrested in Singapore for shoplifting at Changi airport

An Indian-origin man was arrested in Singapore after allegedly stealing from various outlets at Changi Airport Terminals upon his return to Singapore from India.

In a statement, Singapore Police said that on May 29, 2025, at about 4.28 pm, they were alerted to a case of shop theft after a bag was discovered missing from a retail outlet located in Jewel Changi Airport. 

Preliminary investigations revealed that the retail supervisor had discovered the bag missing during a stock count. Upon reviewing CCTV footage, the man was seen taking the item and leaving the shop without paying. Although the man's identity was established, he had already departed from Singapore.

On June 1, 2025, the man returned to Singapore and was arrested while in transit at Changi Airport. Airport Police Division officers conducted a search of the man’s belongings and discovered several unaccounted-for items in his possession.

Through follow-up investigations and with the aid of CCTV footage, officers established that the man had allegedly committed theft from 13 other shops in Jewel Changi Airport and the transit areas of Changi Airport Terminals, taking various items including perfumes, cosmetics, and bags without paying. The stolen items, with a total value of $5,136, were recovered from the man's possession.

The man will be charged in court on Friday with 13 counts of Theft in Dwelling under Section 380 of the Penal Code 1871. 

The offence carries an imprisonment term of up to seven years, a fine, or both. The man will also face an additional count of fraudulent possession of property under Section 35(1) of the Miscellaneous Offences (Public Order and Nuisance) Act 1906, which carries an imprisonment term of up to two years, a fine, or both.