Singapore Police have said foreign syndicates, involving Chinese nationals, are appearing to be involved in the recent spate of housebreaking cases in Singapore’s private residential estates, media reports said.

Three people have been arrested in connection with the crime so far.

Police are trying to locate 14 others who are currently outside Singapore.

“The police are engaging the assistance of the Chinese authorities to obtain more information and locate them. Any members of the public with information on them are encouraged to provide this information to the police,” police were quoted as saying by South China Morning Post.

The suspects are believed to be transient travellers who had entered Singapore as Social Visit Pass holders, usually one to two days before committing the offence, the police said.

Police said it seems these syndicate members try to escape the nation once the crime is committed.

Before the recent cases, housebreaking crimes were on a downward trend, the police said.

The stolen items in the 10 cases were valued at S$3.85 million (US$2.92 million), of which about S$1.36 million worth of items have been recovered, the newspaper reported.

The arrested people were identified as Long Zhihua, 38, and Luo Changchang, 43 and Wu Jinxing.