Irish man arrested for alleged perfume thefts at Changi Airport transit area
A 43-year-old Irish national was arrested at Changi Airport after allegedly stealing perfume bottles worth more than S$650 from two duty-free stores within the airport’s transit area. He is set to be charged with theft in a dwelling.
- Irish national allegedly stole perfume bottles worth over S$650 from The Shilla stores
- Arrested upon returning to Singapore in transit five days later
- Faces up to seven years’ jail, a fine, or both if convicted
SINGAPORE: A 43-year-old Irish national has been arrested by the Singapore police for his alleged involvement in two separate cases of shop theft committed within the transit area of Changi Airport.
The police were first alerted on 9 June at about 10:05am to a case of theft at The Shilla Cosmetics & Perfumes outlet in Terminal 1.
Preliminary investigations revealed that on the previous day, 8 June, the man had allegedly taken two bottles of perfume, with a total value of S$491.70, from the outlet’s display shelf and exited the store without paying.
The items were later discovered missing during a stock-taking exercise by staff.
Suspect identified through CCTV, arrested upon return
Using surveillance footage, officers from the Airport Police Division were able to establish the identity of the suspect.
However, by that time, the man had already left Singapore.
On 13 June, he returned to Changi Airport while in transit for another flight and was promptly arrested.
Further investigations revealed that, on the same day prior to his arrest, he had allegedly stolen another bottle of perfume worth S$167 from a different The Shilla Cosmetics & Perfumes outlet in Terminal 1.
Two of the three stolen perfumes were recovered from him — a bottle of Chanel Chance Eau Tendre and a bottle of Rabanne Million Gold.
Faces up to seven years’ jail if convicted
The man will be charged in court on 8 July 2025 with theft in a dwelling under Section 380 of the Penal Code 1871.
If convicted, he faces imprisonment of up to seven years, a fine, or both.
The police stated that they take a serious view of shop theft and that offenders will be dealt with firmly in accordance with the law.
They added that they will continue working closely with stakeholders and the community to prevent and deter such offences.
