A 50-year-old man is to be charged in court on March 11 after he allegedly stole from another passenger during a flight travelling from Singapore to Jakarta. The Singapore Police Force said they were alerted to the suspected theft on board the aircraft at approximately 6:20 p.m. on October 2, 2025.
Alleged Theft During Flight
According to preliminary investigations, the man, who is a Chinese national, left his assigned seat and walked several rows forward in the cabin. Police said he then removed a bag belonging to another passenger from the overhead compartment.
He brought the bag back to his own seat and went through the contents. During that time, he is believed to have taken cash amounting to S$750 and three bank cards from the victim’s wallet. After that, he returned the bag to its original spot in the overhead compartment.
The man’s actions caught the attention of a cabin crew member. The crew member later approached the passenger whose bag was involved and asked him to check his belongings.
After checking, the passenger realised that cash and bank cards were missing from his wallet. The cabin crew then informed the flight captain about the situation. The matter was later reported to the Indonesian authorities.
Suspect Arrested After Returning to Singapore
The missing items were eventually found on the aircraft and were returned to the victim before the plane landed in Jakarta.
However, the man was denied entry by Indonesian authorities and was told to return to Singapore. When the flight arrived back at Changi Airport, officers from the Airport Police Division arrested him.
Police said foreign currencies and several mobile phones were recovered from the man and seized as part of the investigations.
Following the incident, the cabin crew member who noticed the suspicious actions was recognised for his vigilance. On Nov 3, 2025, he was presented with a commendation by the police for detecting the theft.
If convicted of theft, the man could face a jail term of up to three years, a fine, or both.
