SINGAPORE: Disguised as a Sikh in a turban, a 29-year-old Bangladesh national who had overstayed in Singapore is suspected of attempting to rob a pawn shop outside Boon Lay MRT station last Saturday (Jul 28).
He later went to an HDB block in Jurong West and left his items in a backpack among potted plants outside a resident’s home. A few hours after the incident, the resident noticed the backpack and alerted the police.
AdvertisementThis led the police to get a clearer picture of what he looked like, the police said during a press conference on Thursday.
The man, who was working as a construction worker previously, and had overstayed since December last year, was arrested on Wednesday along Muscat Street at about 7pm.
Deputy Commissioner of Police and director of the Criminal Investigation Department Florence Chua said the suspect was quite surprised when he was caught.
The suspect's backpack and the pink turban he used to disguise himself were among items seized by the police. (Photo: Jalelah Abu Baker)
AdvertisementAdvertisement“He didn't think we had caught on to his disguise,” she said.
The man had entered a ValueMax pawn shop outside Boon Lay MRT station at about 4.30pm, armed with a knife and a gun assembled with plastic parts, and demanded that an employee hand over cash and jewellery.
When the employee refused, the man allegedly said he would blow up the shop, claiming he had an explosive device. He fled the scene after throwing an object on the counter.
Investigations found that the object only contained some electrical components, authorities had said on Saturday.
A knife and a "bomb" the suspect used to threaten the employee at the pawn shop. (Photo: Jalelah Abu Baker)
The incident prompted the closure of exit C of the MRT station near Jurong Point mall.
The pedestrian square near Jurong Point and several shops were also cordoned off. Police officers could be seen walking in and out of the shop to take photos.
After the incident, police appealed to the public for information on the suspect, who they described as 1.75m tall and wearing a pink turban, blue jacket and long brown pants.
The suspect is expected to be charged in court on Friday.
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He later went to an HDB block in Jurong West and left his items in a backpack among potted plants outside a resident’s home. A few hours after the incident, the resident noticed the backpack and alerted the police.
AdvertisementThis led the police to get a clearer picture of what he looked like, the police said during a press conference on Thursday.
The man, who was working as a construction worker previously, and had overstayed since December last year, was arrested on Wednesday along Muscat Street at about 7pm.
Deputy Commissioner of Police and director of the Criminal Investigation Department Florence Chua said the suspect was quite surprised when he was caught.
AdvertisementAdvertisement“He didn't think we had caught on to his disguise,” she said.
The man had entered a ValueMax pawn shop outside Boon Lay MRT station at about 4.30pm, armed with a knife and a gun assembled with plastic parts, and demanded that an employee hand over cash and jewellery.
When the employee refused, the man allegedly said he would blow up the shop, claiming he had an explosive device. He fled the scene after throwing an object on the counter.
Investigations found that the object only contained some electrical components, authorities had said on Saturday.
The incident prompted the closure of exit C of the MRT station near Jurong Point mall.
The pedestrian square near Jurong Point and several shops were also cordoned off. Police officers could be seen walking in and out of the shop to take photos.
After the incident, police appealed to the public for information on the suspect, who they described as 1.75m tall and wearing a pink turban, blue jacket and long brown pants.
The suspect is expected to be charged in court on Friday.
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