Why the cheesy grin has been wiped off the face of José the Aussie chef – as he faces brutal punishment in Singapore after he was accused of a crime over a standout physical feature
EXCLUSIVE
An Australian restaurateur is facing brutal corporal punishment in Singapore after being identified by police as the prime suspect in an armed robbery because he was “fatter than the average person.”
Jose Manuel Pacheco, 39, could be beaten 12 times with a 1.2-metre rattan stick after he allegedly threatened a 31-year-old female clerk with a knife at lender Accredit Private Limited in Tampines district. Singapore on June 4.
Singaporean police allege that Pacheco, van Perthwas wearing a disguise – a mask and cap – when he confronted the worker about 1.40pm and demanded she put S$6,095 (AU$6,810) in a bag.
The female clerk remained calm and took careful note of the alleged robber’s appearance and clothing so she could relay the information to police.
Using the victim’s description, police arrested Pacheco half an hour later for allegedly lurking near the home crime scene, looking at the investigators without his disguise.
He was confronted by an officer and confessed to armed robbery.
Australian citizen Jose Manuel Pacheco (pictured) has been charged over an alleged armed robbery in Singapore
If convicted, he could receive twelve lashes. Pictured is a prison officer at Singapore’s Changi Prison demonstrating the beating of a mannequin
The officers approached Pacheco, who police said did not know how to answer their questions before eventually admitting to the armed robbery.
Singaporean police will allege the Australian chef thought he could fly under the radar as he watched the investigation unfold after taking off his mask and cap.
Yimeng, a manager at a nearby store, said local media police came in to request CCTV footage before officers began searching the area for the alleged perpetrator.
He said officers arrested Pacheco after spotting him sitting on a staircase next to his store.
“The man they saw was sitting on the stairs, facing the crime scene, looking 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, had long hair and a beard.
“Although he had taken off his mask and hat, he still could not escape the investigators who were closely monitoring his surroundings.”
Police confiscated the knife allegedly used in the robbery and confiscated all the money.
Singapore police will allege he stole from the Accredit Money Lender (pictured) in Tampines district
Singapore has low crime rates due to its strict penalties for criminal activities, consistently ranking the Asian country among the safest countries in the world.
In Singapore, individuals can be sentenced to caning for more than 30 crimes, including kidnapping, theft, sexual abuse, drug abuse, rioting, vandalism, extortion and unlawful possession of weapons.
Caning is mandatory for certain crimes, such as rape, drug trafficking and illegal money lending, and for foreigners who overstay their visa validity by more than 90 days.
The punishment, which is only imposed on men, is handed down in prison by a trained prison guard while the perpetrator is naked, bent over and restrained in a wooden frame – resulting in bloody cuts to the buttocks.
If convicted, Pacheco, who has been charged with one count of armed robbery, faces a prison sentence of three to 14 years and at least 12 strokes of the cane.
Pacheco, originally from Perth, has lived and worked in Singapore in recent years
Daily Mail Australia can reveal that Pacheco is a restaurant manager, originally from Perth, who has lived and worked in Singapore in recent years.
According to his LinkedIn account, the West Australian has worked in the hospitality industry since the age of 14 and most recently served as head of Tapas Club, a premium Spanish restaurant chain.
He also previously served as head of Yole Cafe in Singapore, and as general manager at Heart of Darkness Brewery in Vietnam.
“My work and personal life revolve around the positive impact I can make on someone, creating a lasting memory and leaving a legacy,” Pacheco wrote in his biography on his now-deactivated LinkedIn page.
“This translates well into my professional life, as one of my main focuses is creating a personal connection between the company I represent and the clients we care for.”
The items Pacheco is said to have used are pictured
Pacheco allegedly stole S$6,095 (AU$6,810) according to Singapore police (pictured)
Just eight months ago, Tapas Club Singapore shared an enthusiastic post about Pacheco, with a photo of him serving a plate to a customer at the buffet.
‘When our very own Tapas Club chef, Jose, steps out to serve you, you know it’s a special day!’ the company wrote further Facebook.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted dplus1, Tapas Club’s parent company, for comment.
Pacheco appeared in court via video link last week, 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 bail of S$20,000 (AU$22,340) for Pacheco, which was granted.
While out on bail, Pacheco must remain contactable to the police and must surrender his passport.
His family declined to comment.
Singapore police claim Pacheco was arrested after officers spotted him near the crime scene
