In a bizarre turn of events, a Singaporean man attempted to carry out a theft under the cover of darkness but ended up making a critical error that led to his downfall.

On the night of September 6, 2024, 56-year-old Sew Swee Chai found himself outside a durian stall at Bukit Batok East Avenue 4, craving the notorious fruit. However, the stall was closed. Thinking he could outsmart the surveillance, Sew tried to unplug what he believed was the CCTV camera.

To his dismay, Sew mistakenly disconnected the plug to the stall's refrigerator instead. He then made off with nine Black Gold durians, valued at approximately $250.

The stall owner, identified as Zhang, learned of the theft the following day when an assistant noticed the missing fruits. A review of the CCTV footage revealed Sew's antics, prompting Zhang to file a police report.

Caught Red-Handed: The Sequel!

But this wouldn’t be Sew’s last escapade. Just two weeks later, on September 20, he struck again, this time at Fu Lu Shou Complex. Attempting to steal amulets, he got caught in the act while trying to pocket a third item.

The total worth of the stolen goods amounted to $180, leading to yet another arrest by the police.

Justice Served?

In court, prosecutors argued for a stringent sentence to deter Sew from reoffending. They highlighted the premeditated nature of his actions—his attempt to disable the CCTV showed intent to commit theft.

Sew's defense, however, presented a different narrative. His lawyer revealed that Sew battles severe depression and had failed to take his medication at the time of the offenses. They requested a lighter sentence, noting that Sew had taken steps to compensate for his crimes and is undergoing treatment.

Ultimately, Sew was sentenced to nine weeks in jail, marking a cautionary tale of how one misguided decision can lead to not just the theft of fruit, but a series of misfortunes.