Woman, 63, arrested for shop theft at Harbourfront had more than 100 branded items worth over $5.5k

Clothes are like friends – you want quality, not quantity.

The police have arrested a 63-year-old woman who may want both.

A store manager alerted the police on May 5 at 9pm that the woman was behaving suspiciously in a retail outlet at Harbourfront Walk, where both HarbourFront Centre and VivoCity malls are located.

She was detained by the store manager and allegedly had several unpaid branded items in her possession.

Officers from Clementi Police Division arrested the woman and recovered from her place of accommodation more than 100 branded items worth over $5,500 that were believed to be stolen, including clothes, shoes and accessories.

She is suspected to be involved in a series of shop theft cases in stores at Harbourfront Walk and Bayfront Avenue, where Marina Bay Sands is located.

The woman was charged in court on May 7 with theft in dwelling, which carries an imprisonment term of up to seven years and a fine.

Retailers are advised to remain vigilant against shop thieves and adopt the following measures:

• Ensure a good line of sight for the displays by using an appropriate shop layout.
• Display advisory posters or signage against shop theft.
• Display expensive merchandise in locked showcases or at prominent locations, such as near cashier counters
• Install CCTVs with recording system at the entrance/exit of the store to capture the facial features of shoppers.
• Deploy adequate security personnel to patrol the premises in luminous vests for increased visual deterrence effect.