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Man, 71, arrested for public drunkenness after refusing to get up from ground near Hougang MRT
"He was very agitated when he was taken away, constantly cursing," one witness said.
June 08, 2026, 06:34 PM
Photo from Shin Min Daily News.
A 71-year-old man was arrested for public drunkenness near Hougang MRT station in the evening of Jun. 5 following a standoff with police that reportedly lasted over an hour.
The incident occurred at an HDB estate near Exit B of the MRT station.
Visibly intoxicated
Speaking to Shin Min Daily News, one witness said he noticed the elderly man, who was visibly intoxicated, had fallen to the ground and scraped his elbow, prompting him to call an ambulance.
The witness added that the man remained on the ground after the fall — he had attempted to get up but was visibly unsteady on his feet, and his pants appeared to be wet.
When paramedics arrived and assessed his condition, the man refused to cooperate and continued to lay down on the ground, prompting the police to be called in.
The standoff was said to have lasted about an hour.
Another witness, who was passing by the station at the time, said she saw several police officers escorting the elderly man to the side of the road.
"He was very agitated when he was taken away, constantly cursing," she said.
A video circulating online showed the man, dressed in a T-shirt and shorts, being escorted by four officers with his hands cuffed behind his back.
He briefly lost his footing during the process, but was quickly steadied by an officer nearby.
Investigations ongoing
In response to Mothership's queries, the police confirmed receiving a call for assistance at 90 Hougang Avenue 10 at around 4:25pm on Jun. 5.
A 71-year-old man was arrested for drunkenness in public and was conveyed conscious to the hospital.
Police investigations are ongoing.
