Malaysian Thief Jailed for a Year After Pilfering Rolexes and Gold from Drunk Strangers in Singapore

When you think of a criminal mastermind, the image that pops up is usually a shadowy figure plotting in dimly lit rooms. In this case, however, the story reads more like a bizarre late‑night night‑market hustle. Chen Baosheng, a 45‑year‑old Malaysian, found a grisly niche: slipping away with luxury watches, gold jewellery and even the latest iPhone from men who had had a little too much to drink.

It all began in early June 2026, when surveillance cameras captured Chen easing up to a 44‑year‑old man napping on a bench near Foch Road. The unsuspecting victim was half‑asleep, the gleam of his Rolex watch catching the streetlight. Within seconds, Chen unclasped the timepiece – a S$11,000 masterpiece – and vanished into the night. He later crossed back into Malaysia and pawned the watch for quick cash.

That night was just the first of seven documented incidents spanning from June 21 to August 15. Each time, Chen stalked public spots where people tended to collapse into drunken slumber: bus stops, park benches, and the steps outside noisy bars. His victims ranged from a 32‑year‑old who lost a gold necklace worth S$6,230 to a bar‑goer who saw his brand‑new iPhone 16 Pro Max, valued at S$1,500, disappear while he dozed off.

What makes the case even stranger is how the thief kept at it after being caught. Police arrested Chen on June 27, but released him on bail. Rather than mending his ways, he went back out on the streets. On July 12, still under investigation, he lifted a gold pendant from a sleeping man on a public bench. Then, on July 29, he tried to snatch a second Rolex – this one worth nearly S$19,000 – but failed when the watch wouldn’t slip off.

Authorities finally caught up with him again after the iPhone theft. The bar’s security footage was clear, the victim promptly alerted the cops, and Chen was re‑arrested on August 28. In court, he faced multiple theft charges, pleading guilty to three of them and admitting to four more. The judge took note of his early cooperation and his swift guilty plea, but also weighed the fact that he kept stealing while out on bail.

In the end, Chen received a one‑year prison sentence – a decision that balances punishment with the recognition that he did not go on a prolonged crime spree after the final arrest. The case serves as a cautionary tale about the vulnerability of unsuspecting victims in public spaces, especially when intoxication dulls their awareness.

Singapore’s swift use of CCTV and its willingness to re‑incarcerate a bail‑released offender underscores the city‑state’s zero‑tolerance stance on theft, no matter how “clever” the method. For the victims, it’s a bitter reminder to keep a close eye on their valuables – even when they think a quick nap is harmless.