Tag: crime

  • Family And Friends Of StanChart Robbery Suspect Shocked By His Arrest

    Family And Friends Of StanChart Robbery Suspect Shocked By His Arrest

    David James Roach’s family and friends were shocked to learn of his arrest.

    The mother of the Canadian national was not aware of his arrest when Shin Min Daily News contacted her at 5am yesterday.

    Roach’s mother, who was not named, told the Chinese evening daily she had not seen her son since he went abroad last August.

    He had taken a break from his engineering studies at a Canadian university to travel.

    His mother asked Shin Min: “Where did the robbery happen? What’s the distance between Singapore and Bangkok? Is he safe? What’s the status of the case? Will he face punishment?

    “Please tell him that we miss him, we are very worried, and we love him.”

    She said she would seek consular and legal assistance for her son, reported Shin Min.

    A Canadian woman, who was identified as Roach’s travelling companion, was also surprised. The woman, who was not named, travelled with Roach for three months through Turkey, Iran and Nepal.

    KNIFE

    The host of the house that Roach stayed in while he was in Turkey was also stunned to see the Canadian’s face in the Thai media.

    He said he remembered Roach distinctly because he had always placed a knife beside his bed throughout his stay.The host said he found it strange, but assumed it was for protection.

    For three days before the robbery, Roach stayed at a hostel in Singapore’s Chinatown.

    The hostel told Shin Min that he did not make a prior booking.

    At a press conference yesterday, Mr Nithithorn Chintakanon, Deputy Commander of the Thai Tourist Police, said they took two days to trace Roach by contacting the taxi driver and examining closed-circuit television footage where he alighted the taxi, reported The Straits Times.

    Roach was found with the equivalent of about $27,000 in US, Singapore and Thai currencies.

    He also had a notebook that contained the same phrases he had allegedly written on the slip of paper used to rob the bank.

    The note reportedly said: “This is a robbery, I have a weapon, give me money, don’t call police.”

    It also contained nine steps on how to commit the robbery, and five steps on how to flee Singapore, as well as plans to commit robberies in Chiang Mai and Dubai, Shin Min reported.

     

    Source: The New Paper

  • Man Found Dead At Yishun, 20-Year-Old Suspect Arrested

    Man Found Dead At Yishun, 20-Year-Old Suspect Arrested

    A 26-year-old man was found dead outside a unit on the sixth floor at Block 279 Yishun Street 22 on Saturday (Jul 9).

    A 20-year-old male suspect was arrested in connection to the case, said the police.

    The police were first alerted at 7.57pm requesting for assistance, and paramedics pronounced the man dead at 8.29pm. Police investigations are ongoing.

    Channel NewsAsia understands that both men had been involved in a prior dispute, and that no weapon was used in the incident.

    According to Mr Diin, 42, who lives on the fifth floor, he heard a “loud bang” at 7.45pm, but added that he did not know what happened exactly.

    “I heard a very loud thumping sound. It’s like something dropped onto the floor. It’s a very loud sound. I thought my neighbour was moving something,” Mr Diin recounted.

    Mdm Tan Saik Khar, 75, who lives on the sixth floor, claimed that she had been attacked by the 26-year-old man on Wednesday night. She said he ran away after she shouted for help.

    Another neighbour, Andy, 37, also said that he had started noticing the man two years ago, as he would loiter at the void deck up to four times a week. “He has never spoken to me before, but he would just stare at me and walk around the block for a few hours,” he said.

    Earlier the same day, the body of a 52-year-old man was found at Geylang Lorong 23. Police said they were investigating the “unnatural death”.

     

    Source: ChannelNewsAsia

  • Murder At Geylang: Why Was Body Left In Open For So Long?

    Murder At Geylang: Why Was Body Left In Open For So Long?

    A 52-year-old coffeeshop helper, known as Niu-ge, was found dead after a fight at Lorong 23 Geylang yesterday at 8am.

    Five hours later, his bloodied corpse, which had visible injuries to the face, was lying on the road and his head was resting on the kerb.

    Witnesses say the body was initially covered with a white cloth and a blue tent.

    But when The New Paper on Sunday (TNPS) arrived at the scene at 10.30am, the cloth had been removed.

    In the suffocating heat, the body could be seen by anyone standing behind the police cordon, which was placed about 20m away.

    Despite the gruesome sight, passers-by gawked. Many were snapping away with their mobile phones.

    Scores of pictures were later uploaded on social media sites like Facebook.

    OUTRAGE

    This prolonged and open display, however, prompted outrage from Mr Niu-ge’s relative, a woman in her early 20s who arrived at 12.30pm.

    “Why do you leave his body in the open, to be exposed to the sun?” Chinese daily Lianhe Wanbao reported her as calling out to no one in particular.

    Mr Niu-ge’s body was eventually removed at about 1.30pm.

    There was a deep cut running from near his left ear to the top of his head.

    The scene of the crime, next to a crowded coffee shop, was spattered with blood.

    Mr Niu-ge’s final moments were witnessed by a cabby, who wanted to be known only as Mr Zhang, 64.

    He told TNPS: “He was wearing red, and there was so much blood that I couldn’t tell if it was his clothes or the blood.

    “He was also breathing very heavily. I couldn’t bear to look for too long, and I wouldn’t want to see it again.”

    An expert familiar with crime scenes, who declined to be named, said it is rare for a corpse to be left uncovered for such a long time.

    He said: “But the police have to conduct their investigation, no matter what.

    “It is just unfortunate that the body was found on such a busy road, (and resulted in) so many people taking photos of the body (from behind) the police cordon.”

    TNPS understands that Mr Niu-ge’s body was not covered so that the police forensics team could conduct their investigation.

    Police officers were seen taking photos of the scene and the body.

    Investigators also found several weapons, including a long wooden stick and a short knife, at the scene.

    A visibly shocked coffeeshop assistant at Victoria Food Court in Lorong 23 witnessed the confrontation between the two men just before Mr Niu-ge collapsed.

    The middle-aged woman, who declined to be named, said the attack happened a few metres outside the coffee shop at 8am.

    She told TNPS in Mandarin: “I think there were two rounds of fighting because Niu-ge already had injuries at the back of his head when he was at the coffee shop.

    “I only saw the second attack from behind and the attacker ran away in the direction of Lorong 21.”

    She recognised the attacker, whom she said was a regular at the coffee shop who would order hot tea every morning.

    She said: “He has messy hair and was a little crazy, always talking to himself. I tried to avoid him as much as possible.”

    Mr Tan Zhi Jia, 32, an assistant at another coffee shop in Lorong 23, told TNPS there was closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage of the victim at his coffee shop at about 7.45am.

    He said: “He went to the kitchen to wash his hands, which had blood on them. He told my colleagues that he had fallen down.”

    Workers at the coffee shops along Lorong 23 had contrasting impressions of the victim.

    Ms Audrey Liang, 37, who sells tissue paper, said she heard he had a debt problem.

    She said: “He was always alone and kept to himself. I heard that he was hot-tempered too.”

    However, Mr Tan said Mr Niu-ge was chatty and friendly.

    The Chinese national, who has been here for six years, said: “We would talk about Singapore, and he would tell me about his job.”

    A police spokesman said they received a call asking for assistance at about 8am.

    A man was found lying motionless on the ground. About 10 minutes later, he was pronounced dead.

    Police are investigating the unnatural death.

    Anyone with information should call the police hotline at 1800-255-000 or submit the information online at www.police.gov.sg/iwitness

    All information will be kept strictly confidential.

     

    Source: The New Paper

  • Malaysia Police Chief Warns Of ‘Push-Pocket’ Blackmail Scams

    Malaysia Police Chief Warns Of ‘Push-Pocket’ Blackmail Scams

    Malaysia’s police chief has advised the public not to fall prey to “push-pocket” criminals who accuse victims of stealing their personal items as part of a blackmail scam.

    Their targets are said to be mainly foreigners arriving at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) or who happen to be at LRT stations, according to warnings being circulated on social media, Bernama news agency reported on Sunday (July 10).

    Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar Khalid advised victims not to be afraid and take the perpetrators up on their threat by offering to follow them to the nearest police station, the report said.

    “Should anyone come up to you and accuse you of theft, have no fear just take them to the nearest police station,” Khalid was quoted as saying.

    “Do not try to settle the matter by yourself because they will not dare to go to the police station,” he said.

    The “push-pocket” perpetrators reportedly slip items such as mobile phones or wallets into the victims’ pockets in crowded places around Kuala Lumpur.

    They will then accuse the unsuspecting victims of theft – before asking the victim to pay a sum of money or be reported to the police.

    Victims usually agree to fork out the money out of fear, reported Bernama.

    Kuala Lumpur Criminal Investigation Department chief Rusdi Mohd Isa was quoted as saying police had yet to receive any report of the scam.

    “Checks with Dang Wangi and Brickfields stations found no cases have been reported to the police,” he said.

     

    Source: The Straits Times

  • Mohamad Daniel, 2 Tahun, Didera Ibu Dan Teman Lelakinya Hingga Mati; Dada Dan Perut Dipijak

    Mohamad Daniel, 2 Tahun, Didera Ibu Dan Teman Lelakinya Hingga Mati; Dada Dan Perut Dipijak

    Setiap hari selama lima minggu, Mohamad Daniel Mohamad Nasser, 2 tahun, menderita dek didera ibunya sendiri dan teman lelaki wanita itu.

    Setiap hari juga, pasangan itu menendang, menampar dan memijak Daniel, dan memaksa budak itu berdiri selama berjam-jam lamanya sambil meletakkan kedua-dua tangannya di atas kepala – dengan hanya memakai lampin.

    Mereka juga memaksa anak kecil berusia 2 tahun itu makan cili kering.

    Perbuatan tidak berhati perut itu terbongkar juga apabila kanak-kanak itu akhirnya meninggal dunia akibat kecederaan teruk selepas lima minggu didera, pada 23 November 2015.

    Ibu mangsa, Zaidah, 41 tahun, dan teman lelakinya, Zaini Jamari, 46 tahun, mengaku bersalah hari ini (23 Jun) – masing-masing atas satu tuduhan menyebabkan kecederaan teruk hingga menyebabkan kematian, dan tiga tuduhan penderaan kanak-kanak.

    Pasangan itu bersama bayi mereka yang berusia 1 tahun dan Daniel, iaitu anak lelaki Zaidah dari hubungan sebelumnya dengan lelaki lain, tinggal bersama di flat satu bilik Telok Blangah. Dua lagi penghuni lain turut menyaksikan penderaan itu.

    Lagi 26 dan 18 tuduhan penderaan kanak-kanak ke atas pasangan tersebut, yang kedua-duanya pekerja pembersihan, akan diambil pertimbangan apabila mahkamah menjatuhkan hukuman pada 15 Julai ini.

    PENDERAAN YANG “KEJAM DAN TIDAK BERPERIKEMANUSIAAN”

    Di mahkamah hari ini, Timbalan Pendakwa Raya, Claire Poh menyifatkan “penderaan fizikal, mental dan emosi” terhadap kanak-kanak dua tahun yang “tidak boleh mempertahankan diri sendiri” sebagai “kejam dan tidak berperikemanusiaan.”

    Mahkamah diberitahu bahawa dalam satu insiden pada 18 November 2015, budak itu tertidur ketika berdiri dengan tangannya di atas kepala. Melihat keadaannya itu, ibunya mula menampar muka dan dada budak itu untuk mengejutkannya dari tidur.

    Rakannya yang tinggal dalam flat yang sama melihat darah mengalir dari mulut budak itu apabila ibunya menderanya.

    Budak lelaki itu terjatuh ke lantai, dan Zaidah memintal kedua-dua tangan anaknya itu dan memijaknya.

    Dia kemudian mengangkat budak itu ke tandas dan menukar lampinnya, sebelum memaksanya terus berdiri dengan tangannya diletakkan di atas kepala, kata DPP Poh di mahkamah.

    PIJAK DADA ANAK & DITAMPAR

    Pada 22 November, iaitu sehari sebelum kematiannya, Daniel didera selama berjam-jam lamanya.

    Sekitar 10.00 pagi, apabila budak itu enggan makan sarapan, Zaidah menamparnya. Dia memberikan mangkuk sarapan itu kepada Zaini, teman lelakinya, yang cuba memberi budak itu makan.

    Apabila mangsa tetap enggan makan, kedua-dua Zaidah dan Zaini menamparnya beberapa kali dan wanita itu juga memukul bahagian belakang tubuh budak itu, hingga mangsa terjatuh ke lantai. Apabila Daniel tidak bangun dari lantai, Zaidah memijak dada anaknya itu sebelum menarik lengannya.

    Budak itu makan dua atau tiga sudu makanan, namun enggan makan lebih banyak daripada itu. Dia kemudian disuruh berdiri di satu sudut.

    Sekitar 7.00 malam pada hari itu, kanak-kanak itu sandar pada katil kerana letih setelah berdiri sepanjang hari. Apabila pasangan itu melihat keadaan budak itu, mereka menampar Daniel, yang baring di atas lantai dan menutup matanya.

    Zaini membawa budak itu ke dapur dan memaksanya makan dua sudu cili kering, sebelum memaksanya terus berdiri di ruang tamu.

    PERUT DANIEL DIPIJAK, KEPALA TERHENTAK KE LANTAI

    Pada sekitar 8.45 malam kemudian, Daniel menjadi lemah dan tidak mampu terus berdiri. Ibunya mencubit tubuhnya dan pipinya dan menamparnya beberapa kali.

    Mahkamah diberitahu Zaidah menyangka budak itu berpura-pura lemah dan mengadu kepada teman lelakinya.

    Zaini menampar budak itu, memijak perutnya hingga Daniel terjatuh ke lantai dan terhentak kepalanya. Zaini kemudian memaksa budak itu makan cili buat kali kedua hari itu.

    Keesokan harinya, pasangan itu tidak mampu mengejutkan budak itu, dan dua rakan mereka yang tinggal bersama mereka menelefon ambulans. Daniel disahkan meninggal dunia pada 9.11 pagi.

    PASANGAN PULANG TONTON TV SETELAH SOAL SIASAT

    Apabila ditanya para paramedik dan polis mengapa tubuh mangsa berlebam-lebam, pasangan itu berbohong dan berkata budak itu biasa mencubit dirinya sendiri, dan jatuh tersungkur di tandas.

    DPP Poh berkata pasangan itu tidak menyesali tindakan mereka itu dan menyeru mahkamah menjatuhkan hukuman penjara sekurang-kurangnya sembilan tahun dan 12 kali sebatan untuk Zaini serta hukuman penjara lebih berat untuk Zaidah.

    Pendakwa raya itu berhujah bahawa pasangan itu lebih mementingkan untuk melindungi diri sendiri dan langsung tidak mengendahkan tragedi yang berlaku itu. Bahkan, kata DPP Poh, pasangan itu pulang ke rumah dan menonton televisyen setelah disoal siasat polis tentang kematian budak itu.

    DANIEL ALAMI LEBIH 40 KECEDERAAN

    Pendakwa raya mengambil masa beberapa minit untuk membacakan di mahkamah senarai lebih 40 kecederaan yang didapati pada tubuh mangsa semasa bedah siasat. Mangsa juga didapati mengalami keretakan tulang rusuk dan pendarahan dalam otak.

    Hakim Daerah Bala Reddy mengarahkan pegawai mahkamah menunjukkan kepada pasangan itu, yang berdiri bersebelahan satu sama lain di kandang tertuduh, gambar-gambar kecederaan yang mereka lakukan sendiri kepada Daniel, yang dipetik setelah budak itu meninggal dunia.

    Namun, pasangan itu tidak menunjukkan sebarang reaksi, kata hakim, yang menunjukkan mereka tidak menyesali perbuatan mereka itu. Apabila ditanya sama ada mereka mahu berkata apa-apa, kedua-dua mereka mengambil kesempatan itu untuk merayu dijatuhi hukuman lebih ringan.

    Atas kesalahan menyebabkan kecederaan teruk hingga menyebabkan kematian, pasangan itu boleh dipenjara sehingga 10 tahun dan didenda atau disebat.

    Atas kesalahan penderaan kanak-kanak, mereka boleh dipenjara sehingga empat tahun dan/atau didenda sehingga S$4,000 bagi setiap tuduhan.

    Source: Berita MediaCorp