A middle-aged man shocked diners and stallholders at a hawker centre in Boon Lay when he brought a knife to the place.
His alleged possession of the weapon was reportedly uncovered when it dropped on the floor.
Source: Shin Min Daily News on Facebook
He was eventually arrested by the police.
The incident took place last Saturday (24 Feb) night at about 11.20pm, reported Shin Min Daily News.
The man had visited Boon Lay Place Food Village, which is a market and food centre in Block 221A Boon Lay Place.
Source: Google Maps
CCTV footage obtained from a stall there by the paper showed that he was wearing a black T-shirt and black shorts.
A stallholder who was interviewed said the man, named “Peter”, appeared at the hawker centre at about 11pm.
As he was walking around, he bumped into a seat and a knife that was tucked behind his back dropped on the floor.
Though he left the scene as if nothing had happened, the sight would’ve shocked people.
Another stallholder said he had behaved strangely while eating, and revealed that he was considering suicide.
The police were called, and they arrived while the man was seated at a table.
Footage showed at least four officers surrounding him and searching his person, before making him stand up.
Source: Shin Min Daily News on Facebook
They then led him to the wall and made him face it with his hands apart.
Source: Shin Min Daily News on Facebook
One officer put on gloves, ostensibly to conduct a more thorough inspection.
After a search, the police found a 10cm-long knife and a long metal pipe on the man.
A police officer was seen in CCTV footage taking a photo of the knife, with the pipe resting on two seats.
Source: Shin Min Daily News
A TikTok video posted on Sunday (25 Feb) also showed the pipe on the seats. The man was seated with his hands behind his back, apparently handcuffed.
Source: @angannchye61 on TikTok
At least four other police officers were seen in the background with guns and bulletproof vests. They left after being given the thumbs-up by one of the other officers.
A stallholder who declined to be named told Shin Min that the man was regularly seen at the hawker centre and was well-known around the neighbourhood.
However, he was reportedly shunned by some in the community. The stallholder said he would get chased away from outside their stall.
A female stallholder, who said she’s known the man for about 10 years, said he used to have a Vietnamese wife who left him.
Some say his estranged wife used to be a dishwasher at the hawker centre.
He also has a mother in her 70s who suffers from cancer, and they live in a block opposite the hawker centre. People would inform his mother and elder sister if anything happened, the stallholder said.
While the man didn’t cause trouble last Friday night, people were uncertain as to why he’d brought a knife and pipe there.
In response to enquiries from Shin Min, the Singapore Police Force said it arrested a 53-year-old man that night.
He is suspected of carrying offensive weapons in a public place.
The case is under investigation, it added.
Also read: Man Allegedly Holds Knife While Loitering In Sengkang Estate, Gets Arrested For Possessing Weapon
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Featured image adapted from Shin Min Daily News on Facebook and @angannchye61 on TikTok.
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