Man arrested after stand-off with police in Singapore

image: https://www.thestar.com.my/~/media/online/2018/03/20/10/31/hostage-st2.ashx/?w=620&h=413&crop=1&hash=4D7CB504CA597978C5627C445AB99B636F8F566A

The 50-year-old had locked himself in the house with two of his family members, the police said. - The Straits Times/Asia News Network
The 50-year-old had locked himself in the house with two of his family members, the police said. - The Straits Times/Asia News Network

SINGAPORE: A 50-year-old man was arrested after a stand-off with the police in Jurong West.

He had locked himself in the house with two of his family members, the police said in a Facebook post on Tuesday (March 20). No one was injured.

When The Straits Times arrived on the scene, there were about 40 to 50 officers from the police and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF).

SCDF had set up an inflatable safety life air pack at the foot of the block.

The stand-off began from around noon, residents told ST. One person who was locked inside the flat was released at around 5.45pm.

The police said in an updated statement on Facebook at 7.09pm that they had been conducting a joint operation with the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) at about 1pm at the affected block.

"A 50-year-old man refused to open the door and had locked himself in the house with his family members upon seeing police and CNB officers," wrote the police. "The man had armed himself with a knife and threatened to harm the officers if they entered the unit."

At about 5.50pm, officers from Special Operations Command knocked down the doors and led the suspect out about 10 minutes later. He had a heavily bruised thigh.

"The man's elderly father and girlfriend were not harmed throughout the incident," said the police. Substances believed to be controlled drugs and other drug paraphernalia were found in the unit.

The man was arrested for criminal intimidation and suspected drug-related offences.

Official sources had earlier said it was a possible hostage situation, but the police clarified that this was not so.

Police and CNB investigations are ongoing. - The Straits Times/Asia News Network