SINGAPORE - Shocking Carpark Heist

In a jaw-dropping turn of events at Suntec City carpark, car owners who left their doors unlocked fell victim to a brazen thief, resulting in the loss of luxury watches and over $25,000 in cash.

The Criminal's Identity and Sentencing

The mastermind behind this audacious crime, 56-year-old Mohamed Rasid Mohd Ali, was sentenced to 26 months in jail on November 27 after pleading guilty to three counts of theft.

Details of the Crimes

State Prosecuting Officer Ting Nge Kong revealed the shocking details of Rasid's crime spree. One victim, a 40-year-old Singaporean, parked his high-end Porsche in the basement carpark around 3:30 PM on May 13, 2024, unaware that Rasid had his eyes set on his unlocked vehicle.

Rasid seized the opportunity, slipping into the car through the driver’s door and snatching away a staggering $1,000 in cash from two wallets along with a luxurious Audemars Piguet watch valued at an impressive $30,000. When the driver returned at 5:15 PM, he was bewildered to find his possessions missing and belatedly filed a police report three days later.

The audacity of Rasid didn’t end there. On August 29, he revisited the carpark with the same nefarious intent. Between 11 AM and 2:30 PM, he discovered yet another unlocked Porsche languishing in the basement. Without hesitation, he dashed inside and pocketed a sparkling Rolex worth $14,000, which had been carelessly left in the cupholder.

That night, the unsuspecting driver, rushed for a dinner engagement, realized something was amiss only after driving home, mistakenly believing he may have simply misplaced his prestigious timepiece.

The Last Heist

As if his crimes weren't enough, later that very same evening at around 9:50 PM, Rasid struck again. He discovered yet another vulnerable car, this time stealing a staggering $19,328 in cash from a Cartier bag and an additional $6,000 from the front compartment, all while the owners remained blissfully unaware of the chaos unfolding.

In an almost cinematic twist, Rasid used a chunk of the stolen cash to purchase a dazzling bracelet worth $10,350 from a local jewellery shop.

Victims React and Police Action

Both victims took swift action, with the cash owner contacting the police the same day, while the Rolex owner reported the theft on September 8 after failing to locate his valuable watch at home.

Authorities wasted no time in identifying Rasid, leading to his arrest on September 19. Following a search of his home, police recovered the stolen Rolex and Audemars Piguet watches. However, most of the cash and the bracelet have reportedly gone missing, with Rasid claiming he sold the bracelet to an unidentified person in Batam and spent the rest of the stolen money.

Consequences of Theft

Given Rasid's previous record of theft, he faced severe penalties, with each charge carrying a potential maximum of three years in prison, alongside fines.

A Warning for Car Owners

This incident serves as a cautionary tale reminding car owners to lock their doors, as negligence can lead to devastating consequences. Stay vigilant and secure your possessions, or risk becoming another victim in the ongoing battle against theft!