Circuit breaker: Police arrest 63-year-old man in Woodlands for not returning to welfare home

The incident happened on Apr. 10.

Syahindah Ishak | April 14, 2020, 03:53 PM

A video of a man getting arrested by the police at Woodlands went viral on Apr. 10.

Threatened police and resisted arrest

In the 46-second video, the man is seen arguing with two police officers.

He also threatened one of them: "Before I cut you, you better open fire."

The officers attempted to control the man but he continued to resist, shouting:

"Don't touch me lah. Don't touch me. I just sit down on the chair."

He was eventually subdued and handcuffed by the officers.

You can watch the full video here.

Did not comply with elevated safe distancing measures

In a Facebook post on Apr. 14, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) stated that they received a request for assistance from safe distancing ambassadors at about 9am on Apr. 10.

A 63-year-old man had reportedly refused to comply with elevated safe distancing measures at Block 768 Woodlands Avenue 6.

Upon arrival, police found the man sitting on a bench that had been cordoned off.

According to the police, despite repeated advice by the safe distancing ambassadors and police officers, the man refused to leave the cordoned area.

Failed to return to welfare home

Police added that the man had failed to return to the welfare home he was staying in.

Thus, he was arrested for failure to return to a welfare home under Section 16(c) Cap. 78 of the Destitute Persons Act.

The man was subsequently sent to the welfare home on the same day.

He was also issued a stern warning for failing to comply with elevated safe distancing measures.

You can read SPF's full statement here.

Top images from @sgge2020/FB.