Jail, fine for 2 women caught stealing at Changi Airport while in transit to Bali

One of the two travellers, Garg Prasha, was given a fine of $700 after pleading guilty to one count of theft. ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG

Andrew Wong

UPDATED Jun 16, 2025, 05:31 PM

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SINGAPORE – Two travellers flew into Singapore from Kolkata, India, during a short transit before continuing their journey to Bali.

While in transit on June 2 , the pair decided to steal from shops at Changi Airport but were quickly caught by the authorities.

Garg Prasha, 30, entered the Charles & Keith store at Terminal 2, after arriving from India.

While browsing the shop at around 7am, she spotted a black haversack bag on display and decided to take it from the shop by placing it into the luggage trolley she was pushing. She then left the shop without paying.

When an employee noticed what was happening , a police report was made.

Garg was found and arrested shortly after with the haversack, worth more than $80, recovered in its original condition.

On June 16, she was given a fine of $700 after pleading guilty to one count of theft.

Deputy Principal District Judge Luke Tan said Garg had committed the offence less than an hour after arriving in Singapore.

“The only saving grace was that the bag was recovered, but she has been effectively caught red-handed here,” said the judge.

Meanwhile, Goenka Simran, 29, was also sentenced on June 16 to eight days’ jail after she pleaded guilty to one count of theft in dwelling. Another similar charge was taken into consideration during her sentencing.

Goenka had flown into Singapore and was awaiting her connecting flight to Bali when she decided to head to the shops at Terminal 3.

The court heard that she entered the Furla store at 1.40pm and saw a yellow purse on display. She then took the purse, worth more than $300, and placed it on the luggage trolley she was pushing, before leaving the store without making payment.

She also admitted to stealing a bottle of perfume at a cosmetics store at Terminal 2, valued at more than $200.

“She was only supposed to be in Singapore for 10 hours, but she decided to help herself to the goods worth more than $500 in total during that time,” said the judge.

“She would have gotten away if not for the quick actions of the authorities and staff, and once she gets away, it would be impossible to recover the items.”

The prosecution added that while the pair are known to each other, they did not act as part of a syndicate.

Those who commit theft can be jailed for up to three years, fined or both.

The offence of theft in dwelling carries a jail term of up to seven years and a fine.

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