Xiuqiang, who was on a budget flight from Vietnam to Singapore. took 3 million Vietnamese dong ($123) from a passenger’s backpack, and 510 million Vietnamese dong ($20,950) and a 50 Singapore dollar note ($38) from a black messenger bag belonging to another.
He also allegedly took $1,000 and 930 Singapore dollars ($700) from an envelope found in a gray bag belonging to a third passenger, according to charge sheets read out in court and carried by Singapore public broadcaster Channel NewsAsia.
Zhang has been remanded for police investigations. If convicted of theft, he could face up to three years’ jail, a fine, or both per charge, the report stated.
An airline spokesperson told CNN that it “was aware of an incident” that occurred on board a flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Singapore on December 16.
“Our cabin crew was alerted by a passenger to a suspected theft in the cabin and activated the Airport Police Division.
“The involved passengers were escorted off the aircraft by airport authorities for further investigation, and disembarkation proceeded as usual for the rest of our passengers,” the spokesperson said.
Scoot, the airline operator of the budget wing of Singapore Airlines, said it was unable to provide further details about the case but warned crew and passengers to remain vigilant on board.
The statement read, “Our operating crew is trained to be vigilant and alert authorities of any suspicious behaviour on board our flights.
“We also advise our customers to safeguard their valuables at all times.”
