A thief who targeted luxury vehicles parked at Suntec City carpark has been sentenced to 26 months’ jail after stealing over $25,000 in cash and valuable watches. Mohamed Rasid Mohd Ali, 56, pleaded guilty to his charges, leaving victims shocked at the brazen nature of his crimes.
Details of the Crimes
Rasid’s first theft occurred on 13 May 2024, when he stumbled upon an unlocked Porsche. He accessed the vehicle and made off with:
- Two wallets with $1,000 in cash
- An Audemars Piguet watch, valued at $30,000
The vehicle’s owner reported the loss three days later, having returned to find his belongings missing.
Repeat Offender
In another incident on 29 August, Rasid again found an unlocked car—this time another Porsche. Between 11 am and 2.30 pm that day, he stole:
- A Rolex watch worth $14,000
After the second theft, Rasid struck again, taking from a different vehicle:
- $19,328 in cash from a Cartier bag
- An additional $6,000 in cash
Rasid then used some of the stolen cash to purchase a bracelet valued at $10,350.
Police Investigation and Arrest
The victims didn’t connect the dots until the losses mounted. One filed a police report on the same day of the cash theft, while the Rolex owner came to the realisation that something was amiss a few days later. The police swiftly connected Rasid to the thefts, ultimately arresting him on 19 September 2024.
During the search of his home, authorities recovered the Rolex and Audemars Piguet watches, though most stolen cash and the bracelet remained unaccounted for as Rasid claimed he sold the bracelet in Batam.
Prior Criminal History
With a history of theft, Rasid could have faced up to three years in prison per charge but was given a 26-month sentence. His case highlights the ongoing concerns about vehicle security and the importance of locking vehicles, particularly at crowded locations.
As urban Singapore continues to thrive, it becomes ever more crucial for residents to safeguard their property against opportunistic crimes…