Chinese syndicate member jailed five and a half years for Windsor Park housebreak-in
A 44-year-old Chinese national, Luo Changchang, was sentenced to five and a half years’ jail on 25 July 2025 for housebreaking and stealing S$570,100 worth of jewellery from a Windsor Park home. He was part of a cross-border syndicate targeting residences in Singapore.
- Chinese national Luo Changchang jailed five and a half years for stealing S$570,100 in jewellery from a Windsor Park home.
- Luo was part of a Guangxi-based syndicate that targeted Singapore residences.
- His accomplice remains at large; valuables worth S$390,200 are still missing.
A member of a Chinese criminal syndicate who flew into Singapore solely to commit theft was sentenced to five and a half years’ imprisonment on 25 July 2025.
The man, identified as Luo Changchang, aged 44, was convicted of breaking into a residence in the Windsor Park estate in Upper Thomson and stealing jewellery valued at S$570,100.
He pleaded guilty to one count of housebreaking to commit theft.
Part of a cross-border criminal syndicate
Luo’s accomplice, 39-year-old Chinese national Long Zhihua, remains at large after absconding while out on bail. Long’s bailor and another man who helped him obtain bail have since been charged.
Court documents revealed that Luo arrived in Singapore from Shenzhen, China, on 21 June 2024, with a return ticket scheduled for eight days later. He stayed at a hotel along Geylang Road, where accommodation was paid for by Long, who had arrived earlier.
Both men were part of a larger syndicate based in Guangxi, China. Authorities believe at least five other Chinese nationals linked to the same group entered Singapore around June 2024 to commit similar crimes.
Targeting unlit homes in affluent areas
On the day of Luo’s arrival, he and Long surveyed the Windsor Park Road area. They noticed a house that appeared unoccupied, scaled its wall, and entered the premises at about 7.40pm.
Inside, they rummaged through drawers, collecting valuables in a plastic bag and damaging a door in the process. Within 30 minutes, they escaped the same way they had entered, taking with them jewellery worth S$570,100.
The pair remained in the vicinity for about two more hours, reportedly looking for other homes to target before leaving around 9.45pm.
The homeowner later discovered the theft upon returning to her bedroom. Jewellery kept on a piano tray and other valuables were missing, prompting her to contact the police.
Arrest and investigation
Police traced the suspects using closed-circuit television footage from nearby residences. Luo and Long were arrested on 26 June 2024.
Some of the stolen jewellery was found in their hotel room, though valuables worth about S$390,200 remain missing. Luo has refused to cooperate with investigators regarding the unrecovered items.
Prosecution calls for deterrent sentence
Deputy Public Prosecutor Timotheus Koh urged the court to impose a sentence of between five and a half and six years, citing the significant value of the stolen goods and Luo’s affiliation with a cross-border syndicate.
He noted that Luo acted under cover of darkness and highlighted the need for deterrence.
“The accused was part of a house-breaking syndicate and the only reason he came to Singapore was to commit housebreaking and theft. This is troubling,” said Koh.
He referred to a similar case involving an offender named He Xiuwei, who stole property worth S$118,400, to underline the seriousness of Luo’s conduct.
Koh added that a firm message must be sent that Singapore is not a soft target for organised foreign theft syndicates.
Sentence and penalties
The court sentenced Luo to five and a half years’ jail. Under Singapore law, housebreaking to commit theft carries a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine.
