A 51-year-old Chinese national was arrested for theft that took place on a flight to Singapore on March 17, 2025.
Based on early investigations, another passenger saw the suspect taking a bag from the overhead compartment while its owner was away from his seat.
The suspect brought the bag to his own seat and searched through it. The witness saw the man allegedly hiding items in his jacket before putting the bag back.
The witness told the victim about what happened. When checking his belongings, the victim found a credit card, $200, and RM100 ($29.90) missing from his wallet.
Police were called at around 12:20am after both men got off the plane. They found the suspect in the transit area, where Airport Police Division officers arrested him.
The suspect is expected to face theft charges on March 18, 2025. This offense can result in up to three years in jail, a fine, or both.
In a March 17 statement, police advised passengers to keep valuables and cash with them instead of leaving them in overhead compartments. They recommended staying alert for people opening overhead bins or going through them during flights.
Passengers should tell cabin crew immediately if they notice suspicious behavior.
The police statement emphasized: “The police have zero tolerance against acts of theft on board an aircraft and will spare no effort to apprehend such offenders, who will be dealt with sternly in accordance with the law.”
