Parang-wielding man tasered at Toa Payoh coffeeshop
Published on Feb 24, 2015 9:00 PM
Police officers and a 54-year-old man (in red, far left) wielding a parang at a stand-off in the Toa Payoh Central coffeeshop on Monday night. -- PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM STOMP VIDEO
SINGAPORE - Police officers had to use a Taser gun on a man who brandished a 30-cm-long parang in Toa Payoh Central on Monday night, said reports.
The incident, which occurred at a coffeeshop at Block 78C, involved a 54-year-old man wearing a red shirt and another man.
An eye-witness by the name of Mr Wang told Shin Min Daily News that the man in the red shirt had whipped out the weapon following what appeared to be a heated argument between the duo.
Mr Wang, a 47-year-old property agent, said there were about 10 people in the coffeeshop and that the situation was tense, with some people holding up chairs in self-defence.
Up to five police officers arrived quickly at the scene and shouted at the man to put down his weapon, but he refused, said the report. Shortly after, a woman's scream was heard and there was a loud noise as the man slumped to the floor.
According to the report, he is believed to have been tasered. Police officers then surrounded him and he was handcuffed.
Another witness, who sent a video to citizen journalism website Stomp, claimed that the man had started to threaten passers-by with the parang.
A police spokesman told The Straits Times: "Police received a call on Feb 23 at 11.33pm requesting for assistance at Block 78C, Toa Payoh Central.
"Upon police arrival, a 54-year-old man was arrested for possession of offensive weapon."
The man was conscious and was taken to Tan Tock Seng Hospital, added the spokesman. Police investigations are ongoing.
