ARMED with parangs and a metal pole, three robbers pounced on a man early on Tuesday morning at Woodlands Centre and fled with $200,000.
The victim, believed to be a Malaysian called Mr Chang and in his 40s, was carrying the money in a black plastic bag. Workers from a nearby coffee shop said they understand he was delivering it to a money changer in the area.
The 4.30am attack left Mr Chang with cuts on his head and a deep slash on his left arm. He was taken to Tan Tock Seng Hospital where he was treated and later discharged.
Mr Chang was near Block 1A, part of the centre, in Woodlands Centre Road which is close to the Woodlands Checkpoint, when a dark-complexioned man in yellow overalls came from behind and hit him with a pole.
Two other dark-complexioned suspects joined in with parangs.
The trio snatched the money, got into a brown car and drove away.
A 17-year-old hawker assistant at a nearby coffee shop, who wanted to be known only as Mr Xu, told Chinese evening newspaper Lianhe Wanbao that he had noticed a driver in the car.
The area where the robbery took place was also the scene of an attempted armed robbery on Aug 15.
Then, two men were taking a sum of about $400,000 in Singapore and Malaysian currency out from a money changer when they were set upon by three men, one of whom was armed with a knife.
The robbers fled when the owner of the money-changer shop yelled 'Robbery!'
There are at least 10 money changers in the Woodlands Centre area.
The manager of one of the shops, who is in his 20s and wanted to be known only as Mr Wong, said the location is suitable for business as it is near the Woodlands Checkpoint.
As a precaution, he transports very small amounts of money to the shop.
'I thought of getting a guard but it is expensive and I cannot afford it,' he said.
Police said they have stepped up patrols in the area and shop owners in the area have been advised to be careful when dealing with large sums of money.
Anyone with information is asked to call the police hotline on 1800-255-0000.
