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SINGAPORE – Several pop-up booths in VivoCity and Harbourfront malls went up in flames after a depressed teen set their merchandise and equipment ablaze, causing over $27,000 in damages.<\/p>\n
Yogesh Pubalan Pubalan, 19, was convicted on Nov 3 after pleading guilty to two counts of mischief. A third mischief charge will be taken into consideration for sentencing.<\/p>\n
He was feeling upset while walking around VivoCity on the night of March 19, and suddenly felt an urge to set the booths on fire.<\/p>\n
At around 11.10pm, he found a Polo Ralph Lauren pop-up booth outside the Polo store on the first floor of the mall that was closed for the day.<\/p>\n
After confirming that no one else was around, Yogesh took out a lighter from his pocket and set fire to a black cloth covering the booth, then stood nearby to watch the fire spread.<\/p>\n
The blaze was eventually put out by passers-by, and caused over $17,000 in damages.<\/p>\n
At around 11.20pm, Yogesh found an Oh!Sunny pop-up booth and set it on fire in the same way.<\/p>\n
The booth suffered about $900 in damages.<\/p>\n
Yogesh then walked over to the main atrium on the first floor of Harbourfront Centre, and saw a Refash pop-up booth.<\/p>\n
He set fire to it at around 11.40pm, and again stood nearby to watch as the flames spread.<\/p>\n
Passers-by noticed the fire and triggered the alarm before it was put out, but not before it caused over $9,000 in damages to the clothes and clothing racks.<\/p>\n
Yogesh was arrested on March 20 and was examined at the Institute of Mental Health. <\/p>\n
A doctor there said he suffered from major depressive disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder, and was likely in early relapse around the time of the offences. <\/p>\n
The doctor added that there was likely a contributory link between his disorders and the offences, as his actions were a coping mechanism due to impaired judgment and self-control.<\/p>\n
Deputy Public Prosecutor Karl Tan said these were serious offences, but that the prosecution was asking for a report to assess Yogesh\u2019s suitability for probation and mandatory treatment as he is young and was unwell at the time.<\/p>\n
The DPP added, however, that Yogesh had made restitution of only $1,200, and that it would only be fair if full restitution was made as the fires affected the livelihoods of businesses and their employees.<\/p>\n
Public Defender Mohamed Sarhan, who was representing Yogesh, said the teen did not offend out of ill will.<\/p>\n
He added that the reports would shed more light on the financial difficulties faced by Yogesh\u2019s family.<\/p>\n
District Judge Carol Ling had asked for the positions of the lawyers on the calling of a report to determine Yogesh\u2019s suitability for reformative training,\u00a0a strict regime of rehabilitation.<\/p>\n
DPP Tan said he had no objection, while PD Sarhan said reformative training would not be suitable. <\/p>\n
The judge then called for suitability reports for probation and mandatory treatment.<\/p>\n
She said she would hold off on calling for such a report for reformative training for now, but that she may still decide to do so later.<\/p>\n
Yogesh is expected to be back in court on Jan 19, 2026, for sentencing.<\/p>\n
For each count of mischief, he may be jailed for up to three months and fined.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n