Poly students placed on probation for staging robbery
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Mar 30, 2011 - Straits Times
By Khushwant Singh
A POLYTECHNIC student masterminded the robbery of a friend - and of himself - but it was uncovered by police within three hours. Ruben Chong Yu Shen, 19, and his two accomplices were arrested and on Wednesday, he was placed on probation for 21/2 years. His accomplice, Gerard Lee Chen Xiang, 18, got two years' probation. Both were also ordered to perform 200 hours of community service for robbing 18-year-old Lenny Lee Yu Feng.
A third conspirator, Jay Ng Jia Jun, 19, who is presently doing his national service in the Singapore Civil Defence Force, will be dealt with on Thursday. Like the victim, Chong and Lee are students at Temasek Polytechnic.
The court heard that Chong was giving a lift to Mr Lee. On the way along Punggol Drive, he stopped and picked up two youths who had asked for directions and then for a lift.
Although Chong pretended not to know his two new passengers, it was all part of his devious plan. From the rear passenger seat, the two youths shouted: 'Robbery', and grabbed Mr Lee and Chong by the neck and demanded money. The two friends seated in front handed over their wallets but Mr Lee only had $60.
The robbers then 'ordered' Chong to drive to a nearby Automated Teller Machine where he was told to withdraw money or his friend would be stabbed. Mr Lee was held hostage in the car and made to reveal his personal identification number to Chong, who withdrew $2,000. The money was handed over to the robbers, who then alighted from the car and fled.
Despite Chong's protests, Mr Lee went to the police and investigations revealed that it was a set-up.
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stupid kids.
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wah lau eh!! STUPID!!!
knn.. these people ought to be castrated too to prevent them from breeding!!
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Robbing your friend is now the "in" thing.
Next, rob your parents.
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bad company.
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Probation only? Really?
If dumbassery was a crime, they'd all be looking at a life sentence without parole.
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so stupid siah.
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Haha... dumb leh.. ur friend surely call police after the incident... $2000 is no small amount. And the police oso wun believe... Singaporeans wont give strangers a free ride!