- Title: Singapore robber to be 'sent abroad' says Thai police chief.
- Date: 13th July 2016
- Summary: SINGAPORE (JULY 13, 2016) (REUTERS) HOLLAND VILLAGE STANDARD CHARTERED BANK THAT WAS ROBBED ON JULY 7 CUSTOMERS ENTERING STANDARD CHARTERED BANK ENTRANCE OF STANDARD CHARTERED BANK MAN TAKING MONEY OUT AT HSBC ATM ENTRANCE OF HOLLAND VILLAGE OCBC BANK SECURITY GUARD INSIDE OCBC BANK ENTRANCE OF HOLLAND VILLAGE MAYBANK SECURITY GUARD INSIDE MAYBANK
- Embargoed: 28th July 2016 07:47
- Keywords: Singapore robbery Canadian suspect Thailand arrest
- Location: BANGKOK,THAILAND/SINGAPORE
- City: BANGKOK,THAILAND/SINGAPORE
- Country: Thailand
- Topics: Crime/Law/Justice,Crime
- Reuters ID: LVA0034QIRG3P
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: A Canadian suspected of robbing a Singapore bank of S$30,000 ($22,250) will be sent abroad, Thailand's police chief said on Wednesday (July 13), but he did not say whether he would be sent to Singapore or Canada.
The rare bank robbery in Singapore sparked a flurry of debate about whether the country has grown too complacent about security, with crime rates among the lowest in the world.
"We found evidence in his hotel room such as cash and documents which led to a belief that he did rob the bank in Singapore." said National Police Chief Jakthip Chaijinda.
Chaijinda also told reporters in Bangkok that Singapore had asked for the suspect to be extradited to face charges in Singapore.
The Canadian suspect was banned to enter Thailand, following the arrest warrant from Singapore.
"The foreign government, Singapore government has sent the arrest warrant through interpol, for the violation of article 12(7) (the suspect) is banned to enter the country. We revoked the permission of stay in Thailand and we detain him. This is the process for Thai police," said Deputy National Police chief Wut Liptapanlop.
"The next step is to extradite the suspect according to the extradition law of 2008. As the police chief said this is a process for the Foreign Ministry and the prosecutor to take care of. It's not a police decision," he added.
Thai immigration chief Police Lieutenant General Nattorn Prohsunthorn named the suspect on Tuesday (July 12) as 27-year-old Canadian David James Roach.
Thai police had earlier said Roach was 26.
Thailand has an extradition treaty with Canada.
Reuters was unable to immediately reach the Canadian Embassy in Bangkok for comment.
Roach arrived in Bangkok on Thursday (July 7), hours after the Standard Chartered Bank in Singapore's Holland Village was robbed.
He was arrested at a hostel in Bangkok's Pratunam shopping district.
A man slipped the Singapore bank teller a note saying he was armed, a source with knowledge of the matter said.
The teller pressed a silent alarm button and police arrived within minutes, but it was too late, said the source, who declined to be identified as he is not authorised to speak to the media. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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