A 39-year-old woman from Uzbekistan and her 16-year-old son are due to be charged in Singapore over separate alleged shop thefts at Changi Airport.
The pair were arrested after police received a report on August 28 about missing sunglasses from a retail outlet in the transit area of Terminal 2.
According to police, CCTV footage showed the teenager allegedly taking three pairs of sunglasses worth S$1,462.38 without paying. Airport Police Division officers later located the mother and son before they could leave Singapore.
The sunglasses, along with other items believed to have been stolen, were recovered from them.
Further investigations allegedly found that the teenager had taken various items worth S$4,887.03 from six retail stores within the airport’s transit area.
His mother is separately accused of stealing a box of perfume valued at S$149.90. Police also allege that she received one of the pairs of sunglasses taken by her son.
The teenager is due to face six counts of theft in dwelling, while his mother will face one count of theft in dwelling and one count of receiving stolen property.
Under Singapore law, theft in dwelling carries a potential prison sentence of up to seven years, a fine, or both. Receiving stolen property can carry a prison sentence of up to five years, a fine, or both.
The pair are scheduled to appear in court on September 16. Police said they would continue working with airport retailers and other stakeholders to prevent and deter shop theft at Changi Airport.
The allegations have not been tested in court, and the accused remain entitled to due process.
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