From Bus Stop to Living Room: The Tale of a 22‑Year‑Old Bench Thief
When you think of a humble bus stop, you probably picture a cold, spare metal bench and a few weary commuters. But for 22‑year‑old Tan Ke Wei, that bench became a velvet‑blanket‑like prototype for his luxury loft. How? By undoing it right after midnight on a rainy June evening.
Step‑by‑Step Breakdown of the “Bench‑Caper”
- June 14, 2023: Tan waits a bus‑stop golden hour and pulls the bolts with his bare hands. No fore‑hand tool required.
- He disassembles eight bolts: Like a DIY enthusiast on a mission.
- Envelope the bench: In a standard grey garbage bag, tucked into a taxi for a covert overnight transport.
- Hidden hide‑away: The bench finds a new home in a riser unit near Tan’s new flat.
- Police tip‑off: An anonymous informant reports the scene the very next day.
- Raiding the flat: Tan dutifully hands the bunched bench over to the police.
- Legal aftermath: He pleads guilty in August and receives a seven‑day short‑detention order on Oct 9.
Why the Bench? What He Wanted
Tan, a budding interior designer, claimed the bench looked “seductively aesthetic” and wanted to check its dimensions for a bus‑stop‑themed makeover of his new apartment. He even went so far as to order a bench from a supplier, hinting that the whole scheme was pre‑planned.
Legal Consequences Highlighted
- Mishap threshold: If mischief causes damage costing $500 or more, the maximum penalty could be two years in jail and/or hefty fines.
- Tan’s sentence: Only a short detention—seven days—showing the courts saw his act as less malicious but still unlawful.
Take‑away Wisdom
Before you swap your commuters for coffee cups, remember that bus stop furniture is not freeware. And if you’re love‑loving the bus stop vibe for interior design, maybe a quick call to the vendor is in order instead of a midnight stunt.
