A Malaysian man has been jailed for one year in Singapore for stealing valuables from drunk men who had fallen asleep in public, Mothership reported on Friday (Nov 6), citing Shin Min Daily News.

Chen Baosheng (transliteration), 45, pleaded guilty to three counts of theft, while four other similar charges were taken into consideration in sentencing.

Rolex taken at Foch Road bus stop

The first theft took place at about 1.46am on June 6 near Foch Road. A 44-year-old man, who had been drinking with friends at Aperia Mall and later had supper nearby, fell asleep drunk at a bus stop while waiting for a taxi.

After making sure no one was around, Chen took the man’s Rolex watch, worth about S$11,000. The victim lodged a police report when he woke up and found it gone.

Police identified Chen from CCTV footage of nearby buildings and arrested him on June 27. By then, he had taken the watch back to Malaysia and pawned it for cash. He was released on bail.

Stealing from drunk men while on bail

On the morning of July 12, while on bail, Chen stole a gold necklace and pendant worth about S$6,230 from a 32-year-old man who was drunk and asleep on a bench.

On July 29, he took a S$1,500 iPhone 16 Pro Max from a 48-year-old man who had passed out outside a bar along Serangoon Road. The victim checked the bar’s CCTV footage and lodged a police report, leading to Chen’s second arrest on Aug 28.

The court heard that Chen was also behind four other thefts between June 21 and Aug 15, involving a Hermes bracelet, a mobile phone and cash. He also reportedly tried to steal another Rolex worth about S$19,000.

Victims unable to get compensation

Chen’s lawyer told the court his client had pleaded guilty early, cooperated fully with police, used no violence, had no accomplices and acted on impulse. The lawyer said Chen, who used to run a hawker business in Johor Bahru but is now unemployed, is the sole breadwinner for his wife, three children and mother.

Five of the seven victims attended court hoping to recover their items or receive compensation. As Chen could not compensate them, the judge said their losses would be considered in sentencing. Chen apologised several times and bowed to the victims, Shin Min reported.

The owner of the first Rolex told Shin Min that Chen was “greedy” for stealing even while on bail. He said he plans to file a civil suit but is worried Chen has no assets in Malaysia.

#latestmalaysia