A 62-year-old man became abusive and agitated after he was told to put on his mask, resulting in the Singapore police being called to the scene.

The incident took place at Block 673B Choa Chu Kang Crescent on Feb. 14 at about 10am, Shin Min Daily News reported.

What happened

The man who refused to mask up was witnessed to have tried purchasing a beverage from the drink stall at a coffee shop and was persuaded to put on a mask by the stall assistant.

However, he proceeded to throw a straw at the assistant while arguing back loudly and not complying with the request to mask up.

A 52-year-old taxi driver who saw what happened stepped in to intervene, but ended up on the receiving end of more abuse from the man without his mask.

The group then called the police.

The taxi driver subsequently tipped Shin Min off regarding what happened.

The 58-year-old stall assistant said she only told the man to wear a mask in the interest of other diners, according to Shin Min.

She said: "He has such a bad temper, it makes people helpless."

Police wanted man to wear mask

The police that arrived at the scene wanted the man to wear his mask, but he refused and put up a struggle, which reportedly lasted an hour.

Photos that Shin Min published of the incident showed the man being subdued by the police, and made to sit on the ground with his hands cuffed behind his back.

The police took the man into the patrol car but he put up a struggle, Shin Min reported.

The man's wife then showed up and explained to the staff that her husband was acting out because he was feeling stressed.

The man had reportedly already clashed with others more than 10 times prior to this incident, it was reported.

Each time he was told to mask up, he would create a scene.

The police said a 62-year-old man was arrested for public nuisance and injuries to public officials.

The police are investigating the case.

Top photo via Shin Min Daily News