The Public Security Police (PSP) arrested a local woman on Thursday for stealing cash from a temple on May 18, PSP spokesman Lei Chan Hong said during a regular press conference yesterday.
Lei identified the suspect as a woman in her seventies surnamed Cheong, who claimed to be unemployed.
According to Lei, on May 18, the PSP received a report from a staff member of a temple in the city’s northern district. A male worshipper had placed an envelope containing a donation of 2,200 patacas on the temple counter. When the worshipper returned more than 10 minutes later, he discovered that the envelope had vanished and reported the matter to staff.
Through CCTV footage, PSP officers identified Cheong and intercepted her at the same temple on Thursday, Lei said, adding that Cheong denied the theft when questioned.
However, after reviewing the temple’s surveillance footage, police confirmed that Cheong was seen taking the envelope from the counter, according to Lei.
Cheong has since been transferred to the Public Prosecutions Office (MP), where she faces a theft charge.
This undated handout photo provided by the Public Security Police (PSP) yesterday shows PSP officers escorting the temple thief into a police station.
