2 Italian swimmers warned, banned from Singapore after airport shoplifting bust

Two Italian swimmers have been given a 12-month conditional warning and banned from re-entering Singapore after they were caught shoplifting three bottles of perfume from a duty-free shop at Changi airport last month.

Singapore police on Thursday confirmed media reports that Chiara Tarantino, 22, and Benedetta Pilato, 20, had been arrested on August 14 for shoplifting, CNA reported.

The pair had been in Singapore to compete in the World Aquatics Championships, in which Pilato won a bronze for the 50-metre breaststroke, and were returning to Italy after a short holiday in Bali.

Security cameras at the transit area captured Tarantino placing the perfume inside Pilato’s suitcase, and the two were detained by airport police, according to Italian media reports. After staff from the Italian embassy in Singapore intervened, they were released and taken to a hotel, where they were not allowed to leave.

On Tuesday, the Italian embassy confirmed to local media that the women had since returned to Italy.

Police on Thursday said the women received a warning from the judge and were allowed to return home. “After consideration of the facts and circumstances of the case, and in consultation with the Attorney General’s Chambers, the two women were administered a 12-month conditional warning on August 19,” police told CNA.