A 41-year-old Singaporean man, Mohammad Hisyam Basheer, appeared in court on Monday (Feb 23) over an alleged bag-snatching incident near Sun Plaza, Sembawang, in the early hours of May 18, 2025.
Authorities say Hisyam reportedly seized a bag containing cheeseburgers and leftover chicken nuggets worth about S$21 (US$16.60) from a brother-sister pair at 1.45am, using force on 20-year-old Christopher Joseph Peter before cycling away.
Speaking in court, Mr Peter described the moment as both “shocking and confusing.” He recounted, “Suddenly, this guy comes toward us and said, ‘I want burger.’ He took the bag and cycled away.” He added that he and his sister were frozen with indecision, unsure whether to call their mother or the police first.
During the trial, Hisyam remained largely silent and even attempted to switch his spoken language to Arabic, despite understanding English and Malay. CCTV footage of the theft shows the cyclist, but poor lighting prevented clear identification. When Hisyam removed his mask in court, the victim’s sister said she was only “maybe” able to recognise him.
If convicted of snatch theft, Hisyam could face between one and seven years’ imprisonment, along with caning. Two separate food-related charges at Changi Airport’s Burger King have been temporarily stood down.
The unusual incident underscores how even routine late-night outings can unexpectedly spiral into chaos.
