Cops looking for woman on ledge at top of tower in Pasir Ris Park find man with device ejecting flames
It was apparently a trap.
The police were alerted to a woman sitting on the ledge at the top of a tower in Pasir Ris Park on Nov 8 at about 6am.
Upon arrival, officers did not see anyone at the tower. When they searched the vicinity, the officers saw a man at a nearby hut.
When they approached him, the man deployed an improvised device which ejected flames towards the police, who drew their weapons and commanded him to stop and drop the device.
But he refused to comply despite multiple warnings and continued to advance with the improvised flamethrower, causing one cop to shoot the man.
He fell to the ground and was immediately arrested. A knife was found near him. The improvised flamethrower and the knife were seized as case exhibits.
The man suffered puncture wounds on his left forearm and abdomen. The police rendered first aid before the Singapore Civil Defence Force arrived to take the man to the hospital. He was still conscious.
Another police officer had suffered abrasions and was treated at scene.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the man was believed to have allegedly called the police and gave false information to lure the officers to the location with the intent to cause harm to them.
Commander of Bedok Police Division, Assistant Commissioner of Police Justin Wong said, "This appeared to be a targeted attack against our police officers.
"Preliminary investigations indicate that it was likely a deliberate attempt to lure officers to harm them. Our officers responded decisively according to the situation and their training."
The 42-year-old man will be charged with attempted murder.
This was not his first brush with the law as he has an outstanding warrant of arrest against him for failing to attend court for his alleged involvement in a case of voluntarily causing grievous hurt and intentional harassment. He has a record of causing hurt and property offences.
Police investigations are ongoing.
