Man sentenced to five years of corrective training for bicycle theft and drug offences

A 57-year-old man was sentenced to five years of corrective training for theft of bicycles and drug offences committed last year.

Between October and November last year, the accused stole nine bicycles - most of which cost more than $600 each - from Botanic Gardens MRT station and private housing estates along Cluny Park Road, Coronation Road, Binjai Park and Dunearn Road.

He would cut the cable lock which secured the bicycle with a metal cutter, ride off on it and sell it on the same day. He was subsequently arrested by police officers while attempting to steal yet another bicycle that was secured at Botanic Gardens MRT station.

Police said in a statement on Tuesday that theft offences are punishable with an imprisonment term of up to three years, a fine, or both.

Bicycle owners are advised to adopt the following measures: keep bicycles at home when not in use, park them at designated bicycle parking bays when outside, and lock them to a fixed permanent structure like a bicycle rack that is anchored to the ground or wall.

Bicycles should also be locked - and all removable components secured - when left unattended, even if it is only for a short while. Bicycle owners are advised to use a durable lock - a U-lock that provides better security, or a lock with an alarm feature. They can also make unique permanent identification marks like engravings or affix a Bicycle Security Label, which comes with a unique serial number to help in identifying the bicycle when stolen.

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