In a bizarre turn of events, a former prison officer in Singapore found himself on the wrong side of the law after stealing four boxes of lozenges valued at just $21.46. The incident occurred on June 28, 2024, at a local supermarket in Circuit Road.

Eddie Tan Kyim Hiong, 47, was caught red-handed and fined $300 on May 7 after admitting guilt in court. The Singapore Prison Service (SPS) took immediate action, assigning Tan to non-sensitive administrative duties during the police investigation before he ultimately resigned on March 1.

A spokesperson for the SPS made it clear that any misconduct is treated with the utmost seriousness. "All prison officers must adhere to high standards of integrity and discipline. Those found guilty will face legal repercussions," they stated.

On that fateful evening, surveillance was heightened after a store assistant noticed Tan's suspicious behavior. Armed with a pouch, he nonchalantly placed the lozenges inside before heading to the fruit section, where he only paid for some apples.

When the retail assistant checked the receipt and realized the lozenges weren’t included, he followed Tan out of the store and successfully retrieved the stolen items. The police were alerted shortly after, just before 7:50 PM.

Under Singaporean law, theft can lead to a prison sentence of up to three years, highlighting the severity of such crimes. In 2024, shop thefts surged, with reports showing a 7.6% increase in cases from the previous year. Authorities linked this rise to improved security measures in retail spaces.

The incident sheds light on the ongoing challenges of theft in Singapore, with police revealing that shoplifting was the most prevalent crime, making up over 21% of reported physical offenses. This case serves as a stark reminder that even those entrusted with maintaining law and order can falter.