Standard Chartered Robber to Face Charges in Singapore

The man, wanted in connection with the 2016 robbery of a Standard Chartered branch in Holland Village, will face charges in Singapore after his appeal against extradition from the U.K. was dismissed by a London judge.

Canadian national David James Roach will face extradition to Singapore from London, where he is currently held, to face charges of robbery and money laundering, the Singapore Police Force said in a statement on Thursday.

The Singapore authorities will do whatever is necessary and permissible within our legal framework to seek justice against those who commit crimes in Singapore, regardless of nationality and where they might have fled to, the statement said.

The 28-year-old suspect took $30,490 in cash from the bank in a robbery that took place on the morning of July 7, 2016. By the time the police were able to establish his identity, he had already fled to Bangkok, Thailand. He was later detained by local authorities and found guilty of violating money-laundering laws by bringing money from the robbery into Thailand.

After serving a 14-month sentence, he returned to Canada on January 11, 2018, but was detained in London during a stopover at the request of Singapore authorities.

Robbery carries a 10 years’ jail and at least six strokes of the cane, while the money laundering charge comes with a 10-year sentence and a S$500,000 ($360,000) fine. For the extradition to proceed, Singapore authorities have agreed to the U.K.’s request to waive the caning if Roach is found guilty.