It’s not a pleasant experience going head-to-head with a behemoth of a person towering over you, but that’s what three policemen had to do to apprehend their suspect. The New Paper reported that a 41-year-old man was arrested — after a violent struggle involving three police officers — for drug-related offences and suspected drink driving, in addition to causing grievous hurt.
According to Channel NewsAsia, Ampalagam Alagu had been recklessly riding his motorcycle along the pavement near Block 405 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10. Police spotted him and instructed him to stop, but the man tried to flee by foot instead. “He started to turn violent against the officers, causing hurt to three officers in the process,” said the police.
Footage that circulated on Facebook on Friday evening showed the three police officers tangled in a scuffle with the apparently intoxicated Alagu, who resisted arrest after the officers caught up with him. One officer suffered head injuries and remains hospitalized, while another is nursing a broken thumb in the aftermath.
Towards the end, several passers-by rendered assistance and the accused was subsequently apprehended.
The police said they take a serious view of hurt against police officers discharging their duties, and thanked members of public who helped assist the officers in the arrest.
Alagu is now remanded for a psychiatric evaluation at the Institute of Mental Health and will stand trial again on Aug 18 after being charged on Saturday (Aug 5).
If found guilty, he could face a sentence of up to 15 years in jail, caning and/or a fine for grievous hurt and up to another seven years in jail, caning and/or a fine in another charge for causing hurt to an officer.
And of course, we have our keyboard warriors from the internet brigade who were apathetic to the struggle the officers had to put up with, giving them stick from their comfy armchair for not using enough force.
However, there were others who defended and commended them for their bravery and their efforts.
Is it so hard to just appreciate and commend these officers for keeping Singapore safe? We certainly do, so kudos to the three officers for their blood, sweat, tears and broken bones.
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