A married couple from the United States was sentenced to jail after stealing more than $750 worth of luxury goods from two stores at Singapore’s Changi Airport while en route to India.
Kapadia Husain Zoher, a 35-year-old dentist, and his wife Kapadia Amatullah, a 30-year-old engineer, were caught shoplifting during their transit at the airport on June 23. Although they managed to board their connecting flight to Mumbai, authorities apprehended them before the plane departed.
According to the prosecution, Zoher first entered a Louis Vuitton store at Terminal 1 around 5 p.m. and took a card holder valued at approximately $600, slipping it into his pocket and leaving without paying. Surveillance footage captured the act.
Later that evening, the couple proceeded to the Cosmetics & Perfumes by The Shilla store at Terminal 3. There, Zoher stole a bottle of Dior Sauvage perfume worth about $160 while his wife stood watch. Again, their actions were caught on CCTV.
“(Kapadia Husain Zoher) had stolen the case holder out of greed. He had a habit of overspending, and he did not want to pay for the case holder,” said State Prosecuting Officer Ng Chee Wee during the court hearing.
Both items were recovered and returned to the stores.
Zoher pleaded guilty to a theft charge and was sentenced to 18 days in jail. His wife, who admitted to a similar charge, received a one-week jail sentence.
Under Singapore law, each count of theft can carry a maximum penalty of seven years in jail and a fine.
