"A 19-year-old in Singapore has pleaded guilty to a series of offences, including stealing four vehicles while already out on bail for previous crimes
“A 19-year-old in Singapore has pleaded guilty to a series of offences, including stealing four vehicles while already out on bail for previous crimes. The teen, whose identity remains protected due to his age at the time of some offences, appeared in court on 8 April 2025 and admitted to multiple counts of theft, causing injury, and unlawful entry.
The teenager’s criminal history began in March 2023, when he struck two pedestrians while riding an electric bicycle in Sengkang, leaving them with fractures. Just four months later, in July, he trespassed onto the premises of a toy shop along Sims Avenue by scaling a fence and made off with a high-end, radio-controlled toy car valued at S$3,000.
He later took the stolen toy to Geylang to play with it on the street, but after spotting himself in CCTV images shared by the shop owner on Instagram, fear of being recognised drove him to return the item. He left it outside the store in the early hours of the morning, accompanied by a handwritten apology asking the matter be resolved privately. However, the contact number he included was falsified, rendering him unreachable. The toy car was found to be damaged, requiring repairs costing nearly S$1,000.
The teen’s criminal activity continued even after his arrest. While still out on bail in July 2024, he stole four cars—two Hondas, a BMW, and a Porsche—along Kim Chuan Drive. Taking advantage of unlocked doors and keys left inside, he drove the vehicles without a licence, even offering lifts to friends on two separate occasions.
Three of the stolen cars were discreetly returned to their original location, but he abandoned the Porsche on Defu Lane after being unable to restart it.
Following his guilty plea, the court has requested assessments to determine if he is suitable for probation or a structured rehabilitative programme. Sentencing is scheduled for May 2025.
The case has raised public concerns about the effectiveness of bail conditions and the growing trend of youth involvement in serious criminal activity.”
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