The suspect was caught at about 2.45am on Monday in a police operation at Whampoa estate.

Five cases of snatch thefts were reported in Whampoa Drive, Jalan Tenteram, Kim Keat, Toa Payoh and Anchorvale in early March.

The culprit targeted female victims and snatched their jewellery, handbags and handphones.

After a careful study of the cases and through extensive interviews, police obtained a lead when the suspect was captured on CCTV footage, and established his identity.

'The suspect, who was unemployed, had up till then remained elusive as he had no fixed place of abode,' said police on Thursday night.

'Undaunted, the officers persevered and mounted ambushes at places the culprit was known to frequent.'

Their persistence paid off when the cops spotted the suspect at one of his haunts on Monday.

The man later led the officers to a phone shop at Toa Payoh and a second-hand dealer shop at Balestier Plaza where he had disposed of his loot.

The suspect is expected to be charged in court on Tuesday for snatch thefts.

He can be jailed between one and seven years and caned, if convicted.

Police advised members of the public to watch over their values and avoid exposing them unnecessarily.