Man charged with stealing about S$31,000 from passengers on Scoot flight from Vietnam to Singapore

SINGAPORE: A man allegedly stole around S$31,000 (US$23,260) from three passengers during a Scoot flight from Vietnam to Singapore.

Zhang Xiuqiang, a 52-year-old Chinese national, was handed three counts of theft in a district court on Monday (Dec 18), read with the Tokyo Convention Act for offences on Singapore-controlled planes.

According to charge sheets, Zhang stole from three people between 9.30am and 12.30pm on Dec 16, while on board Scoot flight TR305.

The flight was en route from Ho Chi Minh City to Changi Airport.

Zhang allegedly stole cash of S$50 and 510 million Vietnamese dong (S$28,000) from a black haversack bag belonging to a Tan Chin Kwang.

He also allegedly took US$1,000 and S$930 from an envelope in a grey bag belonging to Park Sanggu, and S$600 and 3 million Vietnamese dong from the backpack of a person named Lim Janus.

Zhang was remanded for investigations and will return to court on Dec 22.

If convicted of theft, he could face up to three years’ jail, a fine, or both per charge.