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New Paper
12-05-2025
- New Paper
3 men accused of Bukit Timah break-in, stealing $684K in luxury items and cash
Three foreign nationals allegedly involved in three cases of housebreaking and theft in Bukit Timah were hauled to court on May 12. From one house alone, they purportedly stole jewellery, luxury watches and cash worth about $684,800 in total. Spanish-Colombian national Hernando Giraldo Franco, 60; Mexican national Hector Danial Garcia Iglesias, 51; and Mexican-Colombian national Mateo Andres Garces Murillo, 48, each face one charge of housebreaking. Both Hernando and Mateo have dual citizenship. According to charge sheets, the trio allegedly broke into a landed estate at Dunearn Close on May 9 at 9.55pm by forcing open a sliding window. They purportedly stole items including jewellery worth about $421,300, and seven luxury watches - such as Mont Blanc Men and Bruguet Men vintage watches worth about $58,000 in total, and a Cartier watch valued at about $80,000. Their loot also consisted of local and foreign currency from the house, totalling about $11,500. On May 12, District Judge Paul Quan granted a police prosecutor's request for the men to be remanded for one week, with permission to take them out for investigation. The prosecutor noted that their presence was needed to conduct raids, recover exhibits and investigate their potential additional charges. Speaking to the court via a Spanish interpreter, Hector and Mateo asked for forgiveness, saying they wanted to return all the stolen items to the victims. Hector said he has informed the investigating officer where to find the remaining lost items, and that he was remorseful for what he did. "(I) made this mistake due to family problems, economic problems back in (my) country," said Hector via the interpreter. He also asked about the maximum jail sentence of 10 years for the housebreaking offence, and said it was "too long" as he has "family, children and grandchildren." Judge Quan responded that this was not a hearing to determine their innocence or guilt, adding that they could mitigate their case at a later stage. Meanwhile, Hernando said he suffers from hyperthyroidism and needs daily medication. In response, Judge Quan asked the remand doctor to ensure he receives it. The judge also noted the presence of officials from the Embassy of Mexico in the court, who were there to assist Hector and Mateo. Police said on May 11 that the trio were apprehended 27 hours after the first case was reported. That case in Cluny Park was reported to the police on May 9 at about 11pm, while the second break-in in Dunearn Close - the case mentioned in the charge sheets - was reported at about 8am on May 10. The third incident in Eng Neo Avenue was reported at around 10pm on May 10. After establishing their identities through extensive ground inquiries, CCTV and police camera footage, officers arrested Hernando and Hector in Jalan Kubor, and Mateo in Tyrwhitt Road on May 11. Police said the three of them had entered Singapore separately on social visit passes within the past fortnight. A car, a circular power saw, an assortment of jewellery, as well as cash in various currencies totalling more than $18,000, were recovered from the men. Police have not ruled out the possibility of the suspects being linked to other cases, but added that there is currently no evidence linking them to a larger syndicate. If convicted, they will each face a jail term of up to 10 years and a fine.
Straits Times
12-05-2025
- Straits Times
3 men charged over Bukit Timah house break-in; allegedly stole $684K in luxury items, cash
A car, a circular power saw, an assortment of jewellery, as well as cash in various currencies totalling more than $18,000, were recovered from the three men. PHOTO: ST FILE SINGAPORE – Three foreign nationals allegedly involved in three cases of housebreaking and theft in Bukit Timah were hauled to court on May 12. From one house alone, they purportedly stole jewellery, luxury watches and cash worth about $684,800 in total. Spanish-Colombian national Hernando Giraldo Franco, 60; Mexican national Hector Danial Garcia Iglesias, 51; and Mexican-Colombian national Mateo Andres Garces Murillo, 48, each face one charge of housebreaking. Both Hernando and Mateo have dual citizenship. According to charge sheets, the trio allegedly broke into a landed estate at Dunearn Close on May 9 at 9.55pm by forcing open a sliding window. They purportedly stole items including jewellery worth about $421,300, and seven luxury watches – such as Mont Blanc Men and Bruguet Men vintage watches worth about $58,000 in total, and a Cartier watch valued at about $80,000. Their loot also consisted of local and foreign currency from the house, totalling about $11,500. On May 12, District Judge Paul Quan granted a police prosecutor's request for the men to be remanded for one week, with permission to take them out for investigation. The prosecutor noted that their presence was needed to conduct raids, recover exhibits and investigate their potential additional charges. Speaking to the court via a Spanish interpreter, Hector and Mateo asked for forgiveness, saying they wanted to return all the stolen items to the victims. Hector said he has informed the investigating officer where to find the remaining lost items, and that he was remorseful for what he did. '(I) made this mistake due to family problems, economic problems back in (my) country,' said Hector via the interpreter. He also asked about the maximum jail sentence of 10 years for the housebreaking offence, and said it was 'too long' as he has 'family, children and grandchildren.' Judge Quan responded that this was not a hearing to determine their innocence or guilt, adding that they could mitigate their case at a later stage. Meanwhile, Hernando said he suffers from hyperthyroidism and needs daily medication. In response, Judge Quan asked the remand doctor to ensure he receives it. The judge also noted the presence of officials from the Embassy of Mexico in the court, who were there to assist Hector and Mateo. Police said on May 11 that the trio were apprehended 27 hours after the first case was reported. That case in Cluny Park was reported to the police on May 9 at about 11pm, while the second break-in in Dunearn Close – the case mentioned in the charge sheets – was reported at about 8am on May 10. The third incident in Eng Neo Avenue was reported at around 10pm on May 10. After establishing their identities through extensive ground inquiries, CCTV and police camera footage, officers arrested Hernando and Hector in Jalan Kubor, and Mateo in Tyrwhitt Road on May 11. Police said the three of them had entered Singapore separately on social visit passes within the past fortnight. A car, a circular power saw, an assortment of jewellery, as well as cash in various currencies totalling more than $18,000, were recovered from the men. Police have not ruled out the possibility of the suspects being linked to other cases, but added that there is currently no evidence linking them to a larger syndicate. If convicted, they will each face a jail term of up to 10 years and a fine. Christine Tan is a journalist at The Straits Times reporting on crime, justice and social issues in Singapore. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
