Man, 61, who set fire to house in Toa Payoh & attacked police officers with knife, charged

Police officers used a Taser to take down the assailant.

Ruth Chai | March 27, 2023, 03:42 PM

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A 61-year-old man in Singapore was charged on Saturday (Mar. 25) with possessing an offensive weapon in public.

In a news release, the police said they received a call for assistance at around 8pm on Friday.

The man had allegedly set fire to a housing unit at Lorong 1 Toa Payoh, and was purportedly armed with a knife.

via Shin Min Daily News

When police officers arrived, the man allegedly brandished the knife and charged towards the officers.

The officers had to use a Taser to disarm the man after he had refused to comply with police instructions.

"Necessary force was used to subdue the man," the police said.

A 40cm-long knife, a 17cm-long Swiss Army knife, and a 30cm-long hammer were seized from the man's possession.

Photo via Singapore Police Force

The man was charged for the possession of offensive weapons under the Corrosive and Explosive Substances and Offensive Weapons Act.

The police stated that they have zero tolerance towards acts of violence which threaten the safety of members of the public and public officers performing their duties, and will not hesitate to take action against those who blatantly disregard the law.

Top photo via Singapore Police Force