Singapore jails Indian tourist over bid to steal diamond with accomplice’s mouth

SINGAPORE: A court in Singapore has sentenced an Indian tourist to more than two years in prison after a failed attempt to steal a diamond by concealing it in his accomplice’s mouth, according to court documents seen by AFP.

The case involved 41-year-old Mangroliya Manojkumar Kurjibhai and his accomplice, 30-year-old Serasiya Milan Ramnikbhai, who visited a jewellery shop in Singapore’s Chinatown on June 19. Court papers said they had targeted a 4.95-carat diamond valued at $154,000.

According to the court documents, Mangroliya distracted the store manager while Serasiya allegedly switched the genuine stone with a fake diamond that had been hidden in his mouth. Local media reported that the two men then left the shop without making a purchase, with Serasiya carrying the original diamond in his mouth.

Surveillance footage captured the theft, and both men were arrested at the airport later the same day. The stolen diamond was later recovered from one of their bags.

Court papers said Mangroliya pleaded guilty last week and was sentenced to two years, two months and two weeks in jail. Serasiya remains in remand and is due to appear for a hearing on Friday.

Reports said the pair had arranged in India for a counterfeit diamond to be made that matched the original stone’s specifications and serial number before travelling to Singapore. It was not clear how they had obtained the details of the real diamond beforehand.

Separate jewellery theft reported in France

In a separate incident earlier this month, jewellery worth millions of euros was stolen in a burglary at the museum of French luxury glassmaker Lalique, according to the company and a source close to the investigation.

The investigation source said the burglar or burglars entered the museum in Wingen-sur-Moder in northeastern France at around 5:30am, or 8:30am PKT, and went directly to the jewellery room.

The source close to the investigation said around 20 pieces had been taken and that the value of the loss was still being assessed.

“Around twenty pieces of jewellery were stolen. The loss is currently being assessed but could amount to several million euros, likely close to four million”, the source added.

The museum said on its website that it would remain closed for several days following the break-in. The investigation source also said an alarm had sounded, but before the security company completed its checks, a cleaning worker arrived first, found the scene and alerted police. CCTV footage is being reviewed as part of the investigation.