Aussie facing 12 strokes of the cane and up to 14 years in jail for the armed robbery of a money lenders in Singapore
An Australian man has been charged with armed robbery at knifepoint at a cash loan shop in Singapore’s Tampines district.
Jose Manuel Pacheco, 39, is accused of robbing a 32-year-old woman at Accredit Private Limited around 1.40pm on Monday from S$6,095 (AU$6,810).
Singapore police said Pacheco was wearing a mask and cap when he allegedly robbed the woman at knifepoint and demanded she put the money in a bag.
The victim remained calm while collecting the money, police said, so she could remember what the man looked like and what clothes he was wearing.
With this information, police were able to arrest Pacheco within half an hour of the alleged robbery and confiscate all the money and the knife he allegedly used.
Australian Jose Manuel Pacheco has been charged with armed robbery at knifepoint at a money lending shop in Singapore’s Tampines district. The items Pacheco is said to have used are pictured
Pacheco allegedly stole S$6,095 (AU$6,810), Singapore police said. The money is depicted
Pacheco looked disheveled as he attended court proceedings via video link on Tuesday Street times reported.
A police prosecutor asked District Judge Lim Tse Haw for a four-week adjournment, saying more time was needed to investigate the case.
The prosecutor requested bail of S$20,000 (AU$22,340) for Pacheco, which the judge granted.
While out on bail, Pacheco must remain contactable to the police and must surrender his passport.
If found guilty of armed robbery, he faces between three and 14 years in prison and at least twelve lashes.
If found guilty of armed robbery, Pacheco faces between three and fourteen years in prison and at least twelve strokes of the cane (a file image of a rattan cane is shown)