SINGAPORE: In a shocking turn of events, two Chinese nationals have been arrested after they orchestrated a daring overnight burglary in Singapore, making off with a staggering S$570,100 (approximately US$422,000) in jewellery from a residence located along Windsor Park Road.

The culprits, identified as Long Zhihua, 38, and Luo Changchang, 44, were apprehended on June 26, just as they were preparing to flee back to China. Unfortunately, authorities were unable to recover S$390,200 worth of the stolen jewellery belonging to a 53-year-old woman, who was inside another part of the house at the time of the crime.

Both men pled guilty to charges of housebreaking when they appeared in court on December 17. Long faces an additional charge for possessing stolen goods, which will be considered during sentencing.

Criminal Syndicate’s Modus Operandi

Investigations revealed that Long and Luo were part of a larger criminal syndicate from China. They reportedly traveled to Singapore with the specific intention of breaking into homes. Alarmingly, this duo was preceded by at least five other members of the same syndicate who infiltrated Singapore in June for similar purposes.

In a spate of burglaries earlier this year, a record 10 housebreaking cases were reported in high-end private estates near the Rail Corridor and Bukit Timah Road, with stolen items totaling an estimated S$3.85 million—most of which remains unrecovered.

The Daring Break-In

Long and Luo arrived in Singapore on June 19 and June 21, respectively, each possessing return tickets set for June 29. They shared accommodations at the Four Chains Hotel. On the evening of June 21, they scouted the opulent Windsor Park area, noting a potential target: a house they discovered had no lights on and a minimal fence that they could easily scale.

At around 7:40 PM, the pair breached the victim's home by prying open a glass door leading to the bedroom. They used a flashlight to navigate through the darkened space, rifling through drawers and wardrobes. A white plastic bag they found in the room was soon filled with valuable jewellery, including earrings, hair clips, and various pendants—some pieces fetching as much as S$100,000.

Aftermath and Victim’s Response

After the criminal duo left the scene around 8:15 PM, the unfortunate homeowner returned home around midnight to discover the shocking loss on a piano tray. She promptly notified the authorities when further checks revealed multiple items were missing, despite no visible signs of forced entry.

Using closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage from neighboring properties, police were able to track down Long and Luo, leading to their arrest. Although some stolen jewellery was recovered from their hotel room, the majority of it—valued at S$390,200—remains elusive.

Additionally, authorities seized Singapore currency totaling S$9,634.60 and other items believed to be stolen, which the suspects absurdly claimed did not belong to them.

Increased Home Security

In the wake of this traumatic incident, the victim opted to bolster her home's security, investing S$1,295 to replace damaged locks, install a new CCTV system, and add lighting to deter future break-ins.

Prosecutor Kathy Chu highlighted that while Long and Luo were partially cooperative in identifying their entry point into the victim's home, they remained tight-lipped about specific details regarding their criminal activities, the whereabouts of other stolen items, and even their relationship.

With a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment and fines for housebreaking, Long and Luo are set to face sentencing on January 16, 2024. Justice may soon be served for this brazen crime that rattled the upscale community!