Woman caught on CCTV walking away with rice cooker

A woman was caught on camera walking away with a rice cooker from an electrical appliance shop in Ang Mo Kio, using her handbag and umbrella to conceal the item as she walked out.

The incident took place at about 7pm on May 6, at Block 728 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 6.

Store owner Lin Yaxuan, 75, told Shin Min Daily News that there were four employees on duty that evening.

The store displays fans, kettles and other appliances both inside and just outside the unit, so employees often move between both areas to assist customers.

According to Madam Lin, a woman carrying a handbag and an umbrella entered the shop and lingered for over 10 minutes.

"The staff asked if she needed help multiple times, but she just said, 'I'm looking.' She continued to browse the shelves before leaving," she recalled.

It wasn't until several days later, while restocking the shelves, that Madam Lin noticed an empty box. A rice cooker was missing, with only the packaging left behind on the shelf.

She checked the store's CCTV and saw the said woman walking out with what appeared to be a white rice cooker nestled in her belongings.

In the footage shown to the Chinese daily, the woman is seen wandering through the aisles before exiting with a rice cooker in hand, partly obscured by her umbrella and handbag.

"I decided to call the police," said Madam Lin, adding that the rice cooker was priced at $49.

She hoped that the woman would return to settle the bill.

"If she's facing difficulties, I'm willing to let her buy it at a lower price. I just want to recover the cost," said Madam Lin.

Since the incident, she has secured the display items with cords to deter theft.

"It's just a preventive measure. Hopefully it stops someone from walking off with multiple items at once. But honestly, it's hard to guard against, you never know who might try to steal something."

The police confirmed a report had been lodged and said investigations are ongoing.