Singapore police arrest 17 suspected of role in Shell oil heist

Singapore police say they have arrested 17 men suspected of involvement in the theft of oil from Shell’s largest refinery in the region.

Police also seized $2.3 million and an oil tanker in connection with the case.

Singapore media said that nine of the men were charged for criminal breach of trust, while two Vietnamese were accused in court of receiving stolen goods.

Shell spokesmen could not immediately be reached for comment.

A police statement issued Tuesday said the 17 men — aged 30-63 — were detained on Sunday. It said police are seeking to freeze the suspects’ bank accounts.

Shell reported the theft at its Bukom industrial site in August.

The refinery, on an island southwest of Singapore, is Shell’s largest petrochemical production and export center in the Asia-Pacific.