12-3-2024 (SINGAPORE) A Chinese national, Wei Qingyou, has been sentenced to two years’ imprisonment for breaking into three houses by scaling walls and escaping through the drain system. The 36-year-old pleaded guilty on March 11 to three charges of housebreaking to commit theft amounting to more than $3,000, with three additional charges taken into consideration.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Yeo Zhen Xiong, seeking a sentence between 24 and 28 months, revealed that Wei arrived in Singapore on Aug 27, 2023, with the intent of committing crimes due to financial difficulties in China.
Between Aug 30 and Sept 1, Wei acquired tools, including a hacksaw, a bolt-cutter, a prying bar, a screwdriver, and gloves, to aid in his criminal activities.
On the night of Sept 1, disguised in a cap, black hoodie, and track pants, Wei targeted houses near Pasir Ris Park, engaging a driver to transport him to the location. DPP Yeo stated that Wei operated between 7.16pm and 9.18pm.
In the first house, Wei entered through the kitchen window, forcibly opening three safes and making off with approximately $1,550. In the second house, he climbed a wall and entered through a helper’s room on the second floor. Spotted by the occupants, Wei attempted to escape but was apprehended. He swung a prying bar, but no one was harmed. He released his backpack, containing stolen goods and tools, and fled.
In the third house, Wei accessed it from a rear drainage passageway, manipulated a closed-circuit television camera, and entered through a kitchen window. After stealing $1,632, he discarded his clothes and booked a flight for departure on Sept 2, 2023. However, he was arrested at Changi Airport.
Wei was found with more than $1,600 in Singapore currency and approximately $1,900 worth of foreign currencies. For housebreaking, an offender can face a maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment per charge.
