Man arrested after allegedly using stun gun on Traffic Police officers; off-duty SCDF officer provides assistance

SINGAPORE — A 38-year-old man was arrested in the early hours of Sunday (Oct 29) after he allegedly used a stun device on two Traffic Police officers who stopped him for speeding along Victoria Street. 

Aside from the stun device, he was also allegedly in possession of various weapons — a samurai sword, two knuckledusters, a chopper and a dagger — as well as controlled drugs, including 236g of ‘Ice’, 11g of heroin, 56 Erimin-5 tablets and two Ecstasy tablets.  

In a news statement on Monday, the police said that Sergeant Muhammad Afiq Yahya, 29, and Staff Sergeant Khairulanwar Abd Kahar, 32, were patrolling along Victoria Street when they spotted a speeding vehicle just before 3am on Sunday.

They signalled for the vehicle to pull over and the driver complied, but stopped his car on the second lane along Victoria Street. 

When the officers asked the driver for his national registration identification card (NRIC) and driving licence, he produced only his NRIC. 

To avoid further obstruction to other road users, they directed him to move his car to the side of the road for further checks, added the police.

The driver complied and stopped his car on lane three of the three-lane road near the junction of North Bridge Road and Jalan Sultan. 

“He then dashed out of his car suddenly and fled on foot with his belongings that exposed a black object resembling the handle of a weapon,” the police said. 

The officers gave chase and managed to stop the man at a nearby back alley at Jalan Klapa Road.

During the ensuing struggle with officers, the man dropped his belongings which allegedly included a samurai sword.

The man then purportedly brandished a stun device in his possession and used it to tase the officers repeatedly.

Sergeant Muhammad Afiq sustained injuries to his fingers and shin, while Staff Sergeant Khairulanwar was tased four times on his back. 

Speaking to the media on Monday during a press conference, Sergeant Muhammad Afiq said that while being tased felt like “electric shocks”, he was still able to subdue the man.

“At that point in time, the pain was bearable, but I was in the moment,” he said.

Staff Sergeant Khairulanwar said he felt numbness in his lower back.

Despite their injuries, the officers were able to subdue and arrest the man with the help of 22-year-old Private Mohammed Akbar Madarsa Mohamed Sultan, an off-duty full-time national serviceman from the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) who was passing by. 

“I feel very relieved someone was helping us,” said Sergeant Muhammad Afiq.

“When I saw the police officers grappling with the aggressive suspect, I felt a strong sense of duty to help,” said Private Akbar, who was presented the Public Spiritedness Award by the police. 

The suspect will be charged on Monday with several offences.

• For voluntarily causing hurt to a police officer, he faces up to seven years' jail and a fine or caning
• For possession of an offensive weapon, he faces up to three years' jail and at least six strokes of the cane
• For possession of the two knuckle dusters, he faces up to five years' jail and at least six strokes of the cane
• For possession of a stun device, he faces up to three years' jail and a fine of up to S$10,000
• He also faces up to 30 years' jail or imprisonment for life, and 15 strokes of the cane for trafficking in not less than 167g and not more than 250g of methamphetamine 

In addition, the man is under investigation for allegedly driving under the influence of drugs, while under disqualification and without valid insurance.

The police added that they have zero tolerance for brazen acts of violence against police officers and will not hesitate to take firm action against those who blatantly disregard the law.