Chinese nationals accused of stealing money and cards on flight retraced steps at Terminal 1.
Two Chinese men accused of committing theft mid-air were escorted back to Changi Airport to reconstruct their alleged actions. The police-led operation sheds light on how authorities pursue onboard crimes even after landing.
Crime Reenactment at Changi Terminal 1
On June 5, two Chinese nationals charged with theft aboard a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore were taken back to Changi Airport’s Terminal 1. The men are accused of stealing S$169 (approximately IDR 2.1 million) and two debit cards from a fellow passenger. Police walked them through key locations related to the alleged crime.
Suspect in Wheelchair Leads the Scene
The first suspect, 35-year-old Liu Xitang, arrived at gate D48 at around 10:35am in a wheelchair. He wore a cast on his right leg, white polo shirt, dark blue shorts, and had a purple towel draped over his thighs. Liu claimed in court the day before that he suffered a leg fracture.
Accompanied by three police officers, Liu was questioned in Mandarin. He was led to several points of interest including a smoking area, travelator zone, and a commercial area above immigration. The final stop was a rubbish bin where the police had earlier recovered the stolen debit cards.
Second Accused Restrained During Walkthrough
At 11:10am, the second suspect, Wang Wei, 40, followed a similar route. He wore identical clothing and was escorted by five police officers. Unlike Liu, Wang was fitted with black arm and leg restraints and remained expressionless throughout the walkthrough. The session ended by 11:25am.
Incident Unfolded Mid-Flight
The theft occurred on June 2 during a flight from Kuala Lumpur. Around 8:50pm, an off-duty Singaporean police officer noticed one of the suspects rummaging through an overhead bag that did not belong to him. The bag was later confirmed to be a female passenger’s. Police arrested both suspects soon after landing.
Evidence Found in Trash Bin
The investigation quickly pointed authorities to a rubbish bin at Terminal 1, where two debit cards linked to the victim were retrieved. This led to the suspects being brought back to physically retrace their movements, a method often used to confirm or clarify witness accounts.
Legal Consequences and Next Steps
If convicted, Liu and Wang face up to three years in prison, a fine, or both under Singapore law. Their physical return to the crime scene demonstrates Singapore’s firm stance against inflight offenses and highlights close coordination between airport security and national police forces.
This case underscores the seriousness with which Singapore handles onboard crimes, sending a strong message to passengers about in-flight conduct. For Indonesian and regional travelers frequently passing through Changi, the incident also reinforces the importance of vigilance and swift law enforcement cooperation across borders.
Sources: CNA (2025) , Mothership (2025)
Keywords: Changi Airport, Inflight Theft, Police Investigation, Chinese Nationals, Terminal 1, Singapore Flight
