Man, 67, who attempted to rob pawnshop with chopper charged
SINGAPORE — An elderly man who tried and failed to rob a pawnshop with a chopper was charged in the State Courts on Monday (15 July).
Omar Abdullah, 67, was charged with one count of attempted armed robbery of a pawnshop at Block 213 Bedok North Street 1.
The incident took place last Friday at the Valuemax Pawn shop about 1.50pm.
According to media reports, Omar’s attempt was thwarted when the chopper he used to smash the glass displays broke into two.
Omar then picked up the pieces of his knife and fled. He did not manage to make off with anything and no one was hurt in the incident.
He tried to evade detection by wearing a surgical mask and changing his clothes multiple times after escaping, according to the police.
However, Omar was still arrested on Saturday - within 32 hours of his alleged offence - at Yishun Street 22.
The case has been adjourned to 29 July. Omar has been remanded at the Institute of Mental Health for psychiatric observation.
Attempted robbery carries a jail sentence of between two and seven years and at least 12 strokes of the cane. As Omar is over 50-years-old, he cannot be caned.
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