A 50-year-old woman allegedly threatened staff with a knife during an attempted robbery at Diamond Hill Mass Transit Railway (MTR) station in Hong Kong on Sunday (4 Oct).
Police eventually subdued and arrested her in the early hours of Monday (5 Oct).
According to The Standard, police were alerted at around 6.50pm after the woman reportedly approached the station’s customer service centre and brandished a knife.
Source: The Standard
The woman allegedly demanded Octopus cards and HK$100 (around S$16) notes from staff at the customer service centre.
She reportedly struck or tapped the customer service counter with the knife several times.
The woman left the scene after the robbery attempt failed.
MTR staff then alerted police, who launched a search of Diamond Hill Station, Plaza Hollywood, and the surrounding area.
Counter-terrorism officers carrying shields also joined the search.
Source: The Standard
A broken ceramic blade measuring about 5cm was later recovered at the scene, but reports said the knife initially brandished by the woman was considerably longer.
Investigations later suggested that the woman had already left Diamond Hill and gone to Ching Fai House at Tsz Ching Estate in Tsz Wan Shan.
Source: The Standard
More than 12 officers from the East Kowloon Emergency Unit were deployed to the building.
Some were seen wearing helmets and tactical vests while carrying shields, while others brought breaching equipment into the premises.
At nearly 2am on Monday (5 Oct), officers forced their way into a fourth-floor flat and arrested the woman.
She reportedly resisted before being subdued and carried away on a stretcher.
Source: HK01
Firefighters had also set up an air cushion near the estate’s carpark entrance as a precaution.
The authorities did not find any knife inside the property.
Identified as Lai, the woman was arrested on suspicion of attempted robbery.
She later reported feeling unwell and was taken conscious to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, according to HK01
She is reported to have a history of mental health issues.
Further investigation is underway.
Also read: Man charged after allegedly wielding 40cm-long knife during dispute along Selegie Road
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Featured image adapted from The Standard.