Foreign Nationals Charged with Housebreaking Tools After Rail Corridor Hunt
Four Chinese men arrested in Bukit Timah operation
Singapore authorities have charged four foreign nationals with possession of housebreaking implements following a focused police operation in the forested areas near the Rail Corridor in Bukit Timah.
Suspects Linked to Syndicate Activity
The four men, identified as being from China, are believed by police to be connected to foreign syndicates involved in housebreaking. Charges were laid on Sunday, following a day-long search that concluded with their apprehension.
The individuals charged are **He Jiao**, 38; **Zhou Qifa**, 36; **Yang Chao**, 41; and **Zhou Yinggui**, 36. Investigations are ongoing, and police suspect they may be involved in other housebreaking incidents that occurred in Singapore between April and July.
Entry and Arrest Details
Assistant Commissioner of Police **Serene Chiu**, commander of the Clementi Division, stated that the men entered Singapore on social visit passes on Friday, having reportedly arrived from Malaysia via the Woodlands Checkpoint. She noted that this was not the first visit to Singapore for three of the accused.
The operation targeted potential housebreaking activities in the Rail Corridor and Bukit Timah Road areas. Police observed that suspects frequently utilize the dense, forested sections of the Rail Corridor to mask their movements while attempting criminal acts.
A multi-agency effort, involving officers from the Clementi Police Division, Police Operations Command Centre, Police Intelligence Department, Gurkha Contingent, Special Operations Command, and the Home Team Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Command, led to the arrests.
Two suspects were apprehended within the forested areas on Friday. A third was taken into custody later that evening at a mall near Clementi, while the fourth was arrested the following morning at a Geylang hotel.
Seized Items and Potential Penalties
During the arrests, police seized various items including screwdrivers and spanners, alongside clothing and over S$400 (approximately US$296) in cash. Police have indicated the cash was likely the suspects’ personal funds and stated there was no evidence suggesting they had successfully committed a crime prior to their capture.
All four men have been remanded, with authorities granted permission to further question them as part of the ongoing investigation. If found guilty, they face potential fines and imprisonment for up to two years.
Housebreaking remains a concern in urban areas. For instance, in London, police reported a 20% increase in residential burglaries in early 2024 compared to the previous year, highlighting the persistent challenge of preventing such crimes (BBC News, February 2024).