NUS student, 23, charged with being public nuisance for allegedly deflating car tyres in Woodlands

A 23-year-old man was charged with being a public nuisance on Nov. 21 after he allegedly deflated the tyres of five cars at two multi-storey car parks in Woodlands.

Benjamin Chia Yit Loong is accused of committing the offences on Nov. 19 late morning and noon at Block 517A and 519A Woodlands Drive 14.

Charge sheets stated that the acts caused annoyance to the public.

The court heard that Chia is a student at the National University of Singapore (NUS), The Straits Times reported.

A police prosecutor said Chia would likely face more charges.

Flyers found on windscreens

Flyers found on the windscreens of five vehicles were purportedly placed there by him.

Photos of the flyer have been circulated online.

According to the contents of the flyer, the act of deflating the tyres was linked to a movement by a climate activist group known as "Tire Extinguishers" that is opposed to the use of sport utility vehicles (SUVs).

Remanded

Police arrested Chia within eight hours after a car owner lodged a report that she found the tyres of her vehicle deflated.

Preliminary investigations showed that at least four more vehicles had their tyres deflated.

Chia, who was described as having a beard and wearing spectacles, is remanded at Woodlands Division and attended court proceedings through video-link.

Bail was set at S$5,000.

His case will be heard again on Dec. 9.

If found guilty, he could be jailed for up to three months, fined up to S$2,000, or both.

Top photos via Complaint Singapore & police