Train vandalism: German suspects nabbed in KL

SINGAPORE — They arrived in Singapore on Nov 4, their first visit to the country based on the passports they are holding. Four days later, the two 21-year-old German nationals left the Republic, but not before allegedly breaking into the SMRT Bishan Depot and spraying graffiti on the carriage of one of the trains.

The police announced yesterday that it had cracked the vandalism case and the two suspects, who were not named by the cops, were brought back to Singapore yesterday morning.

They were arrested on Thursday evening — with the help of the Royal Malaysian Police — at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, as the suspects prepared to depart on a flight bound for Australia, where they are believed to be working.

The Germany Embassy here has been informed of the arrests and the pair would be charged today, the police said. Based on preliminary investigations, the suspects were believed to be on a working holiday visa in Australia. After they had left Singapore, the suspects were believed to have visited countries in the region, such as Thailand and Malaysia. The police said they established the identities of the pair through intensive probes and protracted investigations, and had sought the assistance of the Royal Malaysia Police and the Royal Thai Police to trace their whereabouts.

Criminal Investigation Department director Tan Chye Hee said the two suspects fled Singapore by air, shortly after the alleged vandalism.

Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police Tan said the police are still investigating how the suspects allegedly breached security and entered the Bishan Depot. Assistant Director (Major Crime) Assistant Commissioner Adrian Quek said that a dozen spray cans and a glove were seized in the vicinity of the crime scene.

He added that three spray-can nozzles and electronic devices such as cameras, handphones and laptops were found on the suspects when they were arrested.

Since 2010, there have been several incidents of vandalism at SMRT’s Changi and Bishan depots.

In May 2010, Swiss national Oliver Fricker and Briton Lloyd Dane Alexander cut through the fence of SMRT’s Changi depot and spray-painted graffiti on one side of a train.

Fricker was given seven months’ jail and three strokes of the cane, while his accomplice remains at large.

Security measures have been enhanced, including the installation of a Fence Intrusion Detection System and increasing the number of security personnel and frequency of security patrols.

SMRT’s vice-president of corporate information and communications Patrick Nathan said the operator is grateful to the police and the authorities for the arrest of the two men.

“We will continue to assist the police in its investigations,” he added.

SMRT is working with the relevant agencies to strengthen all security measures in place, he said.

A Land Transport Authority (LTA) spokesperson reiterated that following previous incidents at the train depots, the public transport operators have taken steps to enhance security at their train depots.

“The LTA will continue to work with the public transport operators and relevant agencies to take the necessary measures needed to strengthen the security of our public transport network. The LTA will also continue its investigations into this incident.”