PUBLISHED ONSeptember 06, 2026 11:00 PMBYSean LerA 77-year-old man is assisting with ongoing police investigations after he was caught on closed-circuit television (CCTV) removing cash from a prayer bowl.
The incident, which happened at Hoon Sian Keng temple in Eunos on August 28, took place at about 1.30pm.
Footage of the incident posted by the temple on its Facebook page shows a man dressed in a blue shirt wandering through the temple's prayer halls.
At about 1.28pm, the man is seen looking into a donation box before clasping his hands in a prayer motion and moving off.
He is next seen peeking into another donation box in another part of the temple.
Once again, the man does not make a move, possibly due to the size of the donation box's opening.
The 77-year-old finally makes his move at 1.31pm, removing cash from a prayer bowl and placing it into his shirt pocket.
He then clasps his hands together and is seen praying before walking off nonchalantly.
@asiaone A 77-year-old man, who is assisting with ongoing police investigations, is seen on CCTV praying to a deity statue after removing money from a prayer bowl in a Eunos temple. #sgnews #Singapore #Police #Temple #Crime ♬ original sound - AsiaOne
According to the temple, it suffered losses of about $200 and has since lodged a police report.
The police confirmed in a statement to the media that investigations are ongoing.
On Aug 18, two Chinese nationals were charged with the offence of housebreaking and theft with common intention.
They are accused of breaking into a Balestier temple and stealing money from the donation boxes.
Police said in a news release on Aug 17 that the two men are believed to have used a card affixed with adhesive tape to remove cash from the donation boxes.
The said offence carries a penalty of up to 10 years' jail and a fine.
[[nid:742865]]
