Elderly man accused of stealing perfume twice from Changi Airport store in March 2025
An 82-year-old Australian man was arrested at Changi Airport after returning on transit, four months after allegedly committing two separate perfume thefts at a duty-free shop.
Tracked Through CCTV, Arrested Months Later
The Singapore Police Force (SPF) arrested the elderly Australian on 24 July 2025 after he arrived at Changi Airport on transit. Investigations revealed he was allegedly involved in two theft cases at the Shilla Cosmetics & Perfumes outlet in Terminal 1’s transit area.
The first incident occurred on 13 March, and the second on 18 March. In both cases, SPF said he left the store without paying for a S$149 bottle of perfume. Surveillance footage helped identify the man, but he had already exited Singapore after both thefts.
Repeat Offence Caught on Video
Airport police reviewed CCTV footage showing the man allegedly taking the perfumes during both visits. In each instance, he was seen removing the item and leaving the shop undetected.
Despite his advanced age, SPF treated the matter seriously and issued an alert. His return to Singapore months later allowed police to intercept and arrest him in the transit area before he could catch another flight.
No Items Recovered, Charges Filed
Police confirmed that neither of the stolen perfume bottles has been recovered. The man has been charged under Section 380 of the Penal Code 1871—theft in dwelling—which carries a penalty of up to seven years in prison and/or a fine.
He is scheduled to appear in court on 4 August 2025.
Not an Isolated Incident
The case highlights a recurring trend. In March 2023, another Australian national was arrested after allegedly stealing a S$248 perfume bottle from the same Shilla outlet. She was only arrested upon her return two years later.
Similarly, in May 2024, a British woman allegedly committed multiple thefts in Terminal 4, including from Shilla Cosmetics. A month later, an Irishman was charged with stealing S$660 worth of perfumes from the Terminal 1 store.
SPF Sends a Clear Message
SPF emphasized that shop theft, even by transit passengers, will not go unpunished. “Offenders should not think they can evade capture by quickly boarding an outbound flight,” SPF said, reiterating its commitment to working with airport stakeholders to prevent such crimes.
The agency’s vigilance has led to successful arrests of international offenders who assumed they had escaped accountability—until they set foot in Singapore again.
The arrest of an elderly Australian man for repeated theft at Changi Airport underlines Singapore’s zero-tolerance stance on shoplifting, regardless of age or nationality. For regional travelers—especially those transiting through Changi—this case is a powerful reminder: Singapore’s laws follow you even after you fly. Continuous cooperation between SPF and airport stakeholders ensures that even years-old thefts don’t go unnoticed.
Sources: Must Share News (2025) , AsiaOne (2025)
Keywords: Changi Theft, Australian Man Arrested, Perfume Theft, Airport Crime, Singapore Law
