SINGAPORE - A teenager who broke into a pet shop and stole 10 live birds was placed on 18 months' probation on Wednesday.

Tan Quan Jin, 18, took the loot, worth $6,750, after using a wire cutter to enter Nan Seng Bird Shop Trading in Tanjong Katong Road on Oct 13 last year.

His alleged accomplice, 24-year-old Eric Leong Teck Wai, helped to load the items into a vehicle he had driven.

They split the loot and left the area, but Tan was traced later that month and his home was raided. Only $4,600 worth of the loot was recovered.

Yesterday, Tan was also ordered to perform 130 hours of community service and remain at home between 10pm and 6am. His parents have signed a $5,000 bond to ensure his good behaviour.

Community Court Judge Lim Keng Yeow also ordered Tan, now a full-time national serviceman, to attend sessions at the Singapore Armed Forces Counselling Centre.

In all, Tan stole 10 birds, 21 cages, a $300 laptop and $500 in cash.

He could have been jailed for up to seven years and fined for theft in a building used to keep property. The case against Leong is still pending.