SINGAPORE, May 7 — A 38-year-old man was arrested after allegedly punching a female barista and later attacking security officers at a mall in Chinatown on May 4, in an incident that required bystanders to step in and restrain him.
According to Mothership, the incident took place around 1pm at 18 Cross, where the man was initially seated inside a car showroom café before the alleged attack unfolded.
A 48-year-old car salesman, identified as Wang Yuan Fa (transliterated), told Shin Min Daily News that he was alerted to the incident by a colleague while attending to a customer at the showroom.
Wang said a barista had approached the man to offer assistance when he allegedly suddenly threw two punches at her.
He added that several bystanders intervened, with two to three people attempting to restrain the man before he stepped in and placed him in a controlled headlock.
Wang, who said he has trained in Muay Thai for more than 30 years and has been a coach since 2017, said he used a restraint technique intended to avoid injury while subduing the man, who was described as large-built and struggled during the incident.
The group eventually handed the man over to security officers.
However, about 15 minutes later, the man allegedly became violent again and attacked security personnel on site.
A passer-by reportedly saw him shouting while struggling with officers.
Wang said the barista appeared to have sustained visible injuries, describing her face as swollen and red.
Police and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) officers later arrived at the scene.
An ambulance took two injured individuals to hospital, according to police in response to queries cited by Mothership.
The 38-year-old man was arrested for public nuisance and is also assisting investigations for voluntarily causing hurt.
Police investigations are ongoing.
