EXCLUSIVE
An Australian restaurateur faces brutal corporal punishment in Singapore after police identified him as the prime suspect in an armed robbery because he was “fatter than the average person”.
Jose Manuel Pacheco, 39, may be caned 12 times with a 1.2m rattan cane after he allegedly threatened a 31-year-old female employee with a knife at lender Accredit Private Limited in Singapore’s Tampines district on June 4.
Singapore police allege Pacheco, from Perth, was in disguise – a mask and cap – when he confronted the worker at around 1.40pm and demanded she put S$6,095 (A$6,810) in a bag.
The employee remained calm and carefully took note of the alleged thief’s appearance and clothing so she could pass the information on to the police.
Using the victim’s description, police arrested Pacheco half an hour later as he allegedly lurked near the crime scene, watching investigators without his disguise.
He was confronted by an officer and allegedly confessed to committing an armed robbery.
Australian citizen José Manuel Pacheco (pictured) has been charged with an alleged armed robbery in Singapore.
If convicted, he could face 12 lashes. Pictured is a prison officer at Singapore’s Changi Prison demonstrating how to whip a mannequin.
Officers approached Pacheco, who police said appeared not to know how to answer their questions before eventually admitting to the armed robbery.
Singapore police will allege that the Australian chef believed he could remain undetected watching the investigation unfold after removing his mask and cap.
Yimeng, a manager at a nearby store, told local media that police came in to ask for CCTV before officers began searching the area for the alleged perpetrator.
He said officers arrested Pacheco after seeing him sitting on a ladder next to his store.
“The man they saw was sitting on the stairs, facing the crime scene, as if he was watching the police handle the case,” he told Zaobao.
‘He spoke to the police in Malay. He was fatter than the average person, he had long hair and a beard.
“Although he had removed his mask and hat, he was still unable to escape the researchers who were carefully observing his surroundings.”
Police were able to seize the knife allegedly used in the robbery and recover all of the cash.
Singapore police will allege he robbed Accredit Money Lender (pictured) in the Tampines district.
Singapore has low crime rates due to its severe penalties for criminal activities, which has seen the Asian nation consistently rank as one of the safest countries in the world.
In Singapore, people can be sentenced to caning for more than 30 offences, including kidnapping, robbery, sexual abuse, drug abuse, rioting, vandalism, extortion and illegal possession of weapons.
Caning is mandatory for certain crimes, such as rape, drug trafficking and illegal money lending, and for foreigners who overstay their visas more than 90 days.
The punishment, which only applies to men, is administered in prison by a trained prison guard while the offender is naked, bent over and restrained on a wooden frame, resulting in bloody cuts to the buttocks.
If convicted, Pacheco, charged with one count of armed robbery, faces three to 14 years in prison and at least 12 lashes.
Pacheco, originally from Perth, has been living and working in Singapore in recent years.
Daily Mail Australia can reveal that Pacheco is a restaurant manager originally from Perth, who has been living and working in Singapore in recent years.
According to his LinkedIn account, the Western Australian has worked in hospitality since he was 14 years old and most recently worked as a director of Tapas Club, a premium Spanish restaurant chain.
He also previously worked as director of Singapore’s Yole Café, as well as general manager of Heart of Darkness brewery in Vietnam.
“My work and personal life revolve around the positive impact I can have on someone that will create a lasting memory and leave a legacy,” Pacheco wrote in his bio on his now-deactivated LinkedIn page.
“This translates well to my professional life, as one of my main goals is to create a personal connection between the company I represent and the clients we serve.”
The items Pacheco allegedly used are shown in the photo.
Pacheco allegedly stole S$6,095 (A$6,810) (pictured), according to Singapore police.
Just eight months ago, Tapas Club Singapore shared a gushing post about Pacheco, which featured a photo of him serving a dish to a customer at the buffet.
‘When our own Tapas Club director, José, comes out to serve you, you know it’s a special day!’ the company wrote on Facebook.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted dplus1, the parent company of Tapas Club, for comment.
Pacheco appeared in court last week via video link, where a police prosecutor asked District Judge Lim Tse Haw for a four-week adjournment to give police time to complete their investigation, the Straits Times reported. .
The prosecutor requested that Pacheco be granted bail of S$20,000 (A$22,340), which was granted.
While on bail, Pacheco must remain contactable by police and must surrender his passport.
His family declined to comment.
Singapore police will allege that Pacheco was arrested after officers noticed him lurking near the crime scene.