SINGAPORE - Five women and a man believed to be involved in several cases of theft from person along Orchard Road have been arrested.

A shopper at a mall in the popular shopping district reported at 4.03pm on Tuesday (Dec 22) that the front pocket of her bag had been unzipped, and that her mobile phone was missing.

After extensive ground enquiries and with the aid of CCTV footage, police officers arrested the first two women at a Geylang hotel on Wednesday (Dec 23).

Three other women and a man staying at the same hotel were nabbed on the same day.

Several mobile phones, wallets and other items believed to have been fraudulently obtained were found in their possession.

The suspects may have been involved in other cases reported along Orchard Road in early November, the police said in a news release on Wednesday.

They will be charged in court with theft on Thursday (Dec 24). If convicted, they face a maximum of three years in jail, a fine, or both.

In the news release, the police advised members of the public to safeguard their belongings and be vigilant of their surroundings while shopping during the festive season.