Suspected underwear thief caught red-handed by Jurong West resident

A man suspected of stealing underwear from his neighbours' flats was nabbed by a Jurong West resident on Saturday. -- PHOTO: ST FILE
A man suspected of stealing underwear from his neighbours' flats was nabbed by a Jurong West resident on Saturday. -- PHOTO: ST FILE

SINGAPORE - A man suspected of stealing underwear from his neighbours' flats was nabbed by a Jurong West resident on Saturday.

Police said they received a call about the alleged theft at Jurong West St 64 at about 4.20pm on Saturday.

Mr Gan Wei'en, who shared photos of the incident on his Facebook, said he "gave chase and nailed him with the police responding 5 mins later".

A 28-year-old man was arrested in relation to the case, police said.

Mr Gan, 34, wrote on Facebook: "Glue Sniffers, Flower Pot Thieves, Students Smoking, Half Naked Couples.

"Lived in my neighbourhood for 7 years, thought I've seen it all till a undergarment pervert showed up at my staircase, holding onto 3 pieces of ladies undergarments, pants unzipped."

He told Lianhe Wanbao that he had just got home when he saw that the door leading to the staircase beside his house was shut.

Mr Gan usually props that door open with a brick to improve circulation, he said. He also keeps some potted plants in the stair landing.

He thought it odd that the door was closed, and went to check.

He found a man sitting at the stairs, holding two pairs of panties - one purple and one pink.

A light blue bra was placed in one of the plant pots on the landing.

When he called out, the man ran away, and Mr Gan gave chase. He did not struggle when caught, Mr Gan said, but apologised profusely.

Mr Gan said the man lives nearby, and he has seen him around.

His wife called the police who took the man away. Police investigations are ongoing.

chuimin@sph.com.sg

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