19-12-2023 (SINGAPORE) Singapore, known for its safety, recently witnessed an incident where an influencer confronted a man attempting to steal his phone in Hougang.
Terence Ong, a fitness coach, had set up his phone at Punggol Park to film his run when he noticed a man allegedly trying to steal the device.
Mr Ong bravely approached the alleged thief, who quickly claimed that he was attempting to return the phone. In an odd turn of events, the man complimented Mr Ong’s physique before leaving the area.
The incident occurred last Sunday morning (17 Dec), and Mr Ong shared a video of the incident on Instagram on the same day.
He had secured his phone to a lamp post and was walking down the footpath, filming his run at Punggol Park in Hougang. Within a minute, an unseen person grabbed the phone from behind, attempting to remove it.
With a hand covering the camera, the alleged thief was caught off guard when Mr Ong confronted him. Mr Ong, with a cheeky grin, called out to the man, referring to him as “Uncle.” The alleged thief stammered, claiming that he was not stealing but rather trying to return the phone.
Unconvinced, Mr Ong retorted, “I know, then don’t touch lah,” as he retrieved his phone.
Mr Ong mentioned that this was the first time such an incident had occurred, despite regularly filming his runs and workouts.
The alleged thief tried to change the topic, asking Mr Ong about his workout routine and complimenting his physique. Mr Ong responded that he trains at the park by running every day.
Continuing to defend himself, the alleged thief claimed that he had a phone and wouldn’t steal. However, Mr Ong questioned his argument, stating that even with money, he wouldn’t take it without permission. The influencer pointed out that the alleged thief had touched his phone despite claiming not to have taken it.
After a brief exchange, the alleged thief apologized and left the scene, muttering excuses.
Surprisingly lenient, Mr Ong waved him off, saying “no problem” and instructing him to go. He resumed filming his sprint, undeterred by the incident.
In his Instagram caption, Mr Ong warned others about the importance of taking care of their valuables. He advised everyone to watch their belongings wherever they are, as leaving them unattended can invite trouble.
Reflecting on the incident, Mr Ong acknowledged that he would be more vigilant in the future when leaving his belongings unattended. He also urged others recording their workouts to be cautious about where they place their devices or consider filming in private.
While Singapore is generally considered safe, the incident serves as a reminder that theft can occur when our guard is down.
Mr Ong highlighted a second lesson from the incident, humorously stating, “If you get caught for stealing, remember to compliment first.”
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