Man charged over 1996 armed robbery outside bank near Jurong
A 59-year-old man was charged in the State Courts on Thursday (8 March) for his alleged involvement in an armed robbery that occurred more than two decades ago, in 1996.
Foo Siang Thian was charged with one count of armed robbery with common intention for allegedly robbing a 43-year-old man of about $44,000 at knifepoint on 5 July 1996 outside an OCBC Bank branch in Jurong, where the victim had withdrawn a sum of money. After the incident, Foo and an accomplice fled on a stolen motorcycle.
Following police investigations at the time, two men, now aged 59 and 65, respectively, were arrested and charged in court, while a third suspect remained at large.
On 5 March this year, the third suspect was arrested in Malaysia with assistance from the Royal Malaysian Police (RMP). He was extradited to Singapore on 6 March and subsequently charged with armed robbery.
Deputy Commander of Jurong Police Division Julian Chee acknowledged the “strong support” of the RMP. “I would like to thank the RMP for their efforts to locate and arrest the suspect. Through good partnership with foreign law enforcement agencies, the police will persevere and ensure that criminals are brought back to face justice regardless how long it takes.”
The maximum punishment for armed robbery with common intention is up to 14 years’ jail and and up to 12 strokes of the cane (although, as the suspect is above 50, he is exempt from caning).
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