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A packet drink was the clue which led to the arrest of a 14-year-old female snatch thief on Saturday.
The victim, a 68-year-old Chinese woman was on her way home from marketing when she was robbed.
The woman had entered the lift of Blk 710, Hougang Avenue 2 with the teenager.
When the lift door opened on the ninth floor, the teenager snatched the woman's purse, containing $50 and a $400 gold watch before dashing out and fleeing down the stairs.
The woman told the police that the girl was holding a drink while committing the crime.
When conducting extensive enquiries in the vicinity of the crime scene, shopkeeper Mr Sevathamaricar informed the officers that a girl fitting the description by the victim had earlier bought a drink from him and that he had often seen her in the neighbourhood.
The teenager's identity was eventually established through follow-up interviews with residents in the estate. The stolen watch and cash were also recovered from the suspect's possession.
Commending Mr Sevathamaricar for his cooperation and public spiritedness, Superintendent Lee Chin Ek stressed the importance of the community's help for police to resolve crime cases quickly.
The accused will be charged in the Juvenile Court for snatch theft.
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