NEA imposter arrested for four house break-ins

An Indian man, who posed as an NEA officer and robbed four houses in Hougang, has been arrested.
Between July and September, the 46-year-old approached the occupants of both private and residential estates and identified himself as a NEA officer conducting routine preventive measures against mosquito breeding.
He would quickly seek the occupants' permission to enter their premises so as to place some tablets in their houses to prevent mosquito breeding. He would then divert their attention by requesting that they stay away from him, falsely stating that the pellets were hazardous. He would then steal whatever he could.
In one of the cases, reported along Poh Huat Road, he returned on a second occasion to break-in and commit theft when the occupant was not at home.
In total, the victims suffered loss of cash, jewellery and other valuables totaling at least $30,000.
The suspect was charged today for the offence of 'Housebreaking and Theft by Day' under Section 454 of the Penal code Chapter 224 which carries a maximum of 10 years imprisonment.