29-3-2024 (SINGAPORE) Three individuals faced charges in court on Thursday (Mar 28) for their alleged involvement in a plot to break into a warehouse unit in Woodlands and pilfer e-vaporisers and related items confiscated by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA).
The accused are Chee Wai Yuen, 35, Elvin Suriaganandhan, 22, and Lim Zhi Wei, 38.
Chee, a Malaysian national, stands accused of surveying the warehouse premises for theft on Mar 23, purportedly in collusion with an individual known as “Ming” to carry out the break-in.
Legal documents revealed that both Suriaganandhan and Lim, Singaporean residents, also conducted surveillance of the same location on Mar 26.
All three individuals were formally charged with abetment of housebreaking during the court proceedings on Thursday.
Sources indicate that the identity of “Ming” remains under investigation by the police, who are actively pursuing leads in this regard.
In a separate announcement, law enforcement and HSA authorities revealed that the trio, along with a 21-year-old woman, were apprehended for their suspected involvement in the illicit scheme.
According to reports, Lim allegedly received monetary compensation to facilitate the removal of confiscated items from the warehouse, subsequently enlisting Suriaganandhan for assistance. The woman accompanied them during the survey and was subsequently taken into custody.
Ongoing police investigations are underway regarding the woman’s involvement in the case.
Lim and Suriaganandhan have been released on bail of S$15,000 (US$11,000) each, with their court proceedings scheduled for Apr 25. Meanwhile, Chee has been remanded for further investigation and is set to appear in court on Apr 4.
Individuals found guilty of abetting housebreaking may face imprisonment for up to 10 years, in addition to fines.
