Man who hid S$200,000 diamond in mouth during Chinatown heist gets jail

A man who concealed a diamond worth nearly S$200,000 in his mouth during a heist at a Chinatown jeweler was sentenced to 26 months and two weeks in prison on September 1. Serasiya Milan Ramnikbhai, a 30-year-old Indian national, admitted to participating in the theft alongside his accomplice, Mangroliya Manojkumar Kurjibha, who received the same sentence in July. The pair had traveled to Singapore under the guise of tourists, planning to steal a 4.95-carat diamond from Dianoche Diamonds Jewelry in Kreta Ayer Road. The scheme began in India, where Mangroliya, who works in the diamond industry, arranged for a counterfeit diamond to be created in Surat. This fake gem matched the specifications and serial number of the target diamond. The two men arrived in Singapore on June 19 and visited the jewelry store around 3 p.m., with Mangroliya diverting the attention of the sales manager by requesting to examine multiple items. During this distraction, Serasiya spat out the counterfeit diamond and exchanged it for the real one, swallowing the genuine stone. The entire process was recorded by the store’s closed-circuit cameras. After the switch, Mangroliya informed the sales manager that he would consider purchasing the diamond before leaving with Serasiya. However, upon returning to their hotel, the sales manager discovered the counterfeit using an optical gemstone identification machine. Police were alerted shortly afterward, leading to the arrest of both men at Changi Airport as they attempted to depart Singapore for India later that evening. The genuine diamond was recovered from Serasiya’s haversack during the arrest. Both men were charged with theft on June 20. In court, Serasiya’s defense team argued for a sentence aligned with Mangroliya’s, citing that Mangroliya orchestrated the plan and sourced the counterfeit diamond. They emphasized that Serasiya, who has a six-month-old child and runs a textile and garment shop, had no prior knowledge of the gem trade and was merely following Mangroliya’s instructions. The prosecution maintained that both men played equally significant roles in the crime and thus deserved identical sentencing. Serasiya’s legal representatives also highlighted his remorse and requested leniency given his familial responsibilities. Despite these arguments, the court upheld the sentence originally imposed on Mangroliya, reflecting the perceived equal culpability of both defendants. The incident highlights the meticulous planning behind the heist, involving the creation of a high-quality counterfeit diamond and the coordination of movements within the store. It also underscores the effectiveness of surveillance systems in detecting such crimes. The case serves as a cautionary tale about the risks associated with organized theft and the potential consequences faced by individuals involved in such activities. The pair’s introduction came through a mutual acquaintance, indicating a pre-existing relationship that facilitated the collaboration. Their travel plans, including booking flights and accommodations, were managed by Mangroliya, further illustrating his dominant role in the operation. The use of a fake diamond, coupled with the strategic timing of the theft and subsequent escape attempt, demonstrates the level of preparation required for such a sophisticated crime. As the legal proceedings concluded, the focus shifted to the broader implications of the case. The successful recovery of the diamond and the arrests underscored the importance of vigilance and technological aids in preventing such crimes. The sentences handed down reflect the judiciary’s stance on holding all participants accountable, regardless of their specific roles in the commission of the offense.