Three teenagers allegedly met a 34-year-old man along Balam Road in MacPherson, pretending they wanted to buy his One Piece trading cards. Instead, they assaulted him and took S$8,000 worth of cards. The Singapore Police Force (SPF) said the victim was sent to the hospital in a conscious state with minor injuries.
Quick Police Action and Arrests
The police were alerted at around 1.10 a.m. on Friday, 6 March. Officers from Bedok Police Division quickly conducted ground enquiries, reviewed CCTV footage, and identified three teenagers aged 15 to 17. The suspects were arrested within 16 hours of the report, and the stolen cards were recovered.
Charges and Ongoing Investigations
One of the teenagers, a 17-year-old, was charged in court on Monday, 9 March, with robbery with hurt under Section 394 of the Penal Code 1871. If convicted, he could face five to 20 years in prison and at least 12 strokes of the cane. The other two teenagers are assisting police with investigations.
Police Advice to the Public
SPF said it will not tolerate such “brazen acts of crime” and promised to “spare no effort” in catching offenders and bringing them to justice. The police also advised the public to stay calm if they encounter robbers, to note the suspect’s physical appearance and distinguishing features, and to report immediately.
