SINGAPORE - A 37-year old man believed to be responsible for a spate of break-ins at private residential estates has been arrested on Thursday.

The Chinese national, who is in Singapore on a social visit pass, allegedly broke into properties at Dunbar Walk, Kurau Terrace, Binchang Rise, Chwee Chian Road, Lynwood Grove and Jalan Punai between Aug 26 and Sept 4. He is believed to have entered the properties between 12am and 4am by scaling the boundary walls and climbing in through unsecured doors and windows, before taking valuables such as laptops and cash lying around in the units. Altogether, the total value of the stolen items amounted to $25,000.

He was nabbed at about 12pm on Thursday in the vicinity of Kallang Road, following police investigations. The items seized from him included cash amounting to $800, foreign currencies, and three mobile phones.

Deputy Commander of Bedok Police Division, Superintendent of Police Chua Chee Wai, urged house owners not to be "complacent", noting that all the houses involved had unsecured doors and windows, and owners left valuables lying around.

If convicted of housebreaking and theft by night, the suspect may be jailed up for 14 years.