A PENKNIFE-WIELDING robber who went on a crime spree, robbing four convenience stores in the eastern part of Singapore within 24 hours, was arrested yesterday, thanks to a cabby's civic-mindedness.

The 27-year-old had robbed stores in Chai Chee, Joo Chiat and Bedok North by first pointing a penknife at cashiers, then demanding money from the cash register. He bagged $600, $400 and $300 from the first, third and fourth stores he robbed.

He fled empty-handed from the second store when he was told by the cashier that an alarm would be set off if the cash register was opened.

He was seen fleeing in a taxi after the third robbery.

The police then sent out a notification to all taxi companies with a description of the suspect.

A taxi driver identified only as Mr Goh informed the police that he had picked up a man fitting the description at Bedok North Street 3, and dropped him off in Marine Terrace.

The man was subsequently arrested there, and $300 was recovered from him.

The commander of Bedok Police Division, Assistant Commissioner Lim Kok Thai, commended the taxi driver for his public-spiritedness, which had led to the penknife robber's arrest.

The suspect is to be charged with armed robbery, which is punishable with imprisonment of three to 14 years and at least 12 strokes of the cane.

cheryll@sph.com.sg

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