Man arrested for robbing Western Union branch at knifepoint

A CCTV image of the Western Union robbery suspect and the shopfront of the money transfer outlet. (Photos: Singapore Police Force, Gabriel Choo/Yahoo Singapore)
A CCTV image of the Western Union robbery suspect and the shopfront of the money transfer outlet. (Photos: Singapore Police Force, Gabriel Choo/Yahoo Singapore)

A 56-year-old Singaporean man has been arrested for allegedly robbing a Western Union branch on Tuesday in Ubi at knifepoint, said the Singapore Police Force (SPF) on Friday (4 August).

According to SPF, the suspect was arrested on Thursday night at 10.35pm along Pasir Ris Drive 6.

The money transfer outlet was robbed on Tuesday (1 Aug) morning.

The suspect entered the branch wearing a white helmet and mask. Armed with a knife, he demanded money from a staff member and fled with about S$4,000.

The Western Union employee was alone in the branch at the time, and was not harmed.

While fleeing, the suspect dropped about S$3,000 which was recovered behind the branch.

The suspect fled on bicycle with S$1,071. At the time of his arrest, he told police that he had spent most of the money, including S$24 on 4D tickets.

According to police, he allegedly threw away the knife and helmet used in the robbery.

The suspect will be charged in court for armed robbery, which carries a maximum jail sentence of 10 years and at least 12 strokes of the cane.

This was the second armed robbery in Singapore in as many days. A 48-year-old man allegedly robbed a Shell petrol station in broad daylight with a knife on Monday (31 July), making off with more than $1,000. He was arrested and charged in court on Wednesday (1 August).

Related stories:

Armed robbery reported at Ubi Ave 1: Singapore Police Force

Man charged over armed robbery at Bukit Timah Shell petrol station