Suspect in Western Union robbery taken back to crime scene

SINGAPORE — The 56-year-old man charged with committing armed robbery at a branch of money transfer agency Western Union was taken to the scene of his alleged crime on Monday (Aug 7).

Hashim Hamzah is accused of making off with more than S$1,000 last Tuesday morning, using a knife to threaten an employee who was working alone at the time. He later fled on a bicycle with a bag containing the cash, the police said in a statement last week.

They arrested Hashim two days later at Pasir Ris Drive 6. He was charged last Saturday.

On Monday, dressed in a white polo T-shirt, blue knee-length shorts, and slippers, Hashim was led by investigators to the remittance outlet at Block 301, Ubi Avenue 1.   

They went behind the counter area and out to a back alley where he is believed to have escaped on the bicycle.

They also headed to an eatery about five units (less than 100m) away from the Western Union branch. He is alleged to have observed the staff member of the branch from there before the incident.

At one point during the procedure — unlike other suspects who typically say nothing to the press — Hashim addressed the photographers following him: “You want my photograph? (Pay) S$1,000.”

A police officer next to him then patted his head lightly to keep it down as he continued walking.

If convicted of armed robbery, Hashim could be jailed between two and 10 years, and get at least 12 strokes of the cane.