Michael Raj, a 48-year-old taxi driver, has been sentenced to one year and five months in jail after admitting to multiple theft charges.
Raj stole three Rolex watches worth over $200,000 from passengers who fell asleep in his taxi and 13 sets of jewellery valued at nearly $43,400 from his 70-year-old mother.
Theft from Mother
Raj’s criminal activities began between May and June 2021 when he stole his mother’s jewellery. Deputy Public Prosecutor Tan Shi Yun clarified, “This was not a case of a careless victim who left her valuables lying around in the open. The victim’s (valuables) were locked in a drawer in a cupboard and (its) key was kept in another drawer in the same cupboard.” Raj pawned the jewellery to pay off his debts. His mother discovered the theft on July 5, 2021, confronted him, and reported the crime to the police. Raj has partially compensated his mother with around $3,000.
Theft from Taxi Passengers
The series of thefts from passengers began on September 2, 2022. Raj picked up a heavily intoxicated 33-year-old man near Orchard Towers shopping mall. The passenger fell asleep, and Raj stole his Rolex watch worth $45,000. In October 2022, Raj stole another Rolex watch valued at nearly $67,300 from a 44-year-old passenger who had also fallen asleep in his taxi. Both victims reported the thefts to the police, but the watches were not recovered, and no restitution was made.
On June 15, 2023, Raj stole a third Rolex watch worth $88,000 from a 30-year-old man who fell asleep in his taxi. This time, the watch was recovered and returned to the victim after a police report was filed.
Sentencing and Defence
During the sentencing on July 30, Raj’s defence lawyer, Wee Hong Shern, requested a jail term of one year and three months. Mr Wee stated, “He sincerely wishes to turn over a new leaf. He will serve his sentence and thereafter commit himself to work and to making up for lost time with his wife and daughter.”
Ensuring Provenance of Goods
This case also serves as a crucial reminder for jewellers about the importance of verifying the provenance of goods they purchase. Ensuring that items are not stolen is vital to maintaining the integrity and trustworthiness of the jewellery market. Jewellers should implement thorough checks and require appropriate documentation to confirm the legitimacy of the goods. This not only protects their business but also helps to curb the market for stolen jewellery.
