21-9-2024 (SINGAPORE) A brazen act of theft aboard an AirAsia flight has resulted in a seven-month prison sentence for a 30-year-old Chinese national, as reported by Singapore police on Friday. The incident, which occurred on a journey from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore, serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance even at 30,000 feet.
Jiang Yangbo, the perpetrator, executed his scheme with a degree of audacity that ultimately led to his downfall. During the flight, Jiang removed a blue laptop bag belonging to fellow passenger Jin Chengjie from the overhead compartment. Jin, a 36-year-old Chinese national employed in Singapore, was seated just one row ahead, oblivious to the unfolding crime.
Court documents reveal that Jiang, after placing the bag on his lap, rifled through its contents before pocketing Jin’s Citibank credit card. In an attempt to cover his tracks, he returned the bag to its original location and briefly visited the lavatory before resuming his seat.
However, Jiang’s actions did not go unnoticed. An alert passenger seated in the same row witnessed the entire episode and observed that upon landing at Changi Airport, Jiang was carrying only a black sling bag. Recognising the discrepancy, this vigilant traveller informed Jin of the suspicious activity.
Realising his credit card was missing, Jin swiftly cancelled it. Meanwhile, Jiang, aware that his scheme had been rumbled, desperately attempted to dispose of the evidence by tossing the stolen card into an overhead compartment. The card was subsequently discovered by another passenger, and investigations confirmed it had not been misused.
The drama concluded at the airport when Jin and the witness approached an auxiliary police officer, leading to Jiang’s prompt arrest. Last Friday, he was convicted and sentenced for his crime.
In response to this incident, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) has reiterated its zero-tolerance stance towards in-flight theft. A spokesperson emphasised, “The police will spare no effort to apprehend such offenders, who will be dealt with sternly in accordance with the law.”
The SPF has also issued guidance to the public on safeguarding against similar incidents. Travellers are advised to keep valuables on their person rather than in overhead compartments. Additionally, passengers are urged to remain alert to suspicious behaviour, such as individuals opening compartments and rummaging through bags mid-flight, and to immediately report any concerns to cabin crew.
