Vouchers Gone Missing: A Grocery‑Bag Mystery
In a spate of opportunistic thefts, seven people—age 23 to 54—have been nabbed for allegedly snatching Budget 2020 grocery vouchers from HDB letterboxes across Singapore. Police say the crimes look like separate, random “get‑together” events rather than a coordinated plan.
Where the Heists Happened
- Tampines Street 86
- Toa Payoh Lorong 7
- Marsiling Road
- Telok Blangah Rise
- Holland Close
The Arrest Timeline
• Oct 11 – First suspect caught.
• Oct 14 – Four more trappers brought in.
• Oct 15 – Last two arrested.
Ramping Up the Hunt
The police are on high alert, combing other residential areas. “If you spot a shady character hawking near letterboxes, dial 999 on the spot,” they warned, urging anyone with a “suspicious “eye” to call in.
Bison‑Breathing Mail Box Heist
On Oct 13, a coup de frappe hit some letterboxes in Redhill and Lengkok Bahru. The master doors for all nine nests were still locked and safe, but a few individual boxes were pried open, leaving scratches and dents. While the thieves never got their hands on the mail, the damage was real and immediately fixed—SingPost staff secured the remaining mail and personally hand‑delivered it to the affected residents.
Which Blocks Got Swing‑by‑Style?
- Lengkok Bahru: Blocks 55, 56, 57, 58, 59
- Redhill Road: Blocks 71, 72
- Redhill Close: Blocks 89, 90
Police acknowledged the incident, opened a report, and investigations are ongoing. A notice now hangs near the letterboxes, reminding the community to alert police of any suspicious activity.
Why Are These Vouchers Going Missing?
According to a Radin Mas SMC Facebook post, the broken letterboxes are likely linked to the attempted theft of grocery vouchers worth about $150—disbursed to low‑income households living in one‑ and two‑room flats. Residents are urged to grab their vouchers promptly and seal their boxes tight.
First Batch of Vouchers on the Market
The first round of distribution kicked off on Oct 1. A 54‑year‑old resident, speaking to a Chinese evening daily, recounted: “We’ve been getting the vouchers for two weeks, but some neighbours still haven’t. Did someone break into their boxes?” The community is bewildered but watching closely.
Stay alert, keep your boxes locked, and if you spot a mystery stranger, give 999 a ring. Together, we’ll keep the vouchers and mail safe—no rogue grocery thieves allowed!
Woman arrested for allegedly stealing grocery vouchers from letterboxes
Woman Charged With Sneaking Grocery Vouchers From Neighbor’s Mailboxes
A 37‑year‑old Singaporean has been taken into custody after police say she was caught grabbing grocery vouchers from silly‑no‑thank‑you mailboxes that weren’t hers. The incident took place on Sunday, 11th October, when a resident noticed a mystery door‑bell ring around one of the blocks on Toa Payoh Lorong 7.
Once the villagers reported the prank, detectives swooped in and identified the culprit on the same day—thanks to her unmistakably smything laugh and a pair of suspicious sunglasses. She was immediately booked for the offence.
What the Law Says
- If found guilty, the woman could be sent to jail for up to three years.
- Alternatively, she might face a hefty fine—or a little of both.
It’s a reminder that even the humble grocery voucher can spark a real drama when someone thinks it’s a perfect, no‑risk “grab‑and‑go” operation. Stay safe, residents—if you see your mailbox being used for “stuffs,” report it right away!
