An Indian man has been arrested at Singapore's Changi Airport for allegedly stealing merchandise worth over S$5,136 (approximately Rs 3.5 lakh) from multiple stores. The 38-year-old man is suspected of involvement in a series of thefts across 14 different shops, where he allegedly took perfumes, cosmetics, and bags.

The Singapore Police Force (SPF) stated that the case came to light on May 29, after a bag was reported missing during a stocktake at a retail outlet in Jewel Changi Airport. Preliminary investigations revealed that a supervisor noticed the missing bag. After reviewing CCTV footage, authorities identified the man taking the item and leaving without paying.

By the time authorities confirmed his identity, the man had already left Singapore. However, he returned to Singapore on June 1 and was apprehended while transiting through Changi Airport. The police confirmed that the stolen items were recovered from him.

The man is expected to be charged on July 25 with theft and fraudulent possession of property. If convicted, he could face up to seven years in prison, a fine, or both.

The police have reiterated their zero-tolerance stance on such crimes. They affirmed their commitment to working closely with stakeholders to prevent and deter shop theft cases, stating that offenders should not think they can evade capture by quickly boarding a flight.

This arrest follows a similar case on July 23, where two American nationals were charged for allegedly committing multiple thefts at Changi Airport's transit area. In June, two Indian women were also sentenced for stealing from shops at Changi Airport while transiting to Bali. One was fined S$700 for stealing a bag, while the other received an eight-day jail term for taking a purse and perfume worth more than S$500.