Bang and a Buzzer in Boon Lay
On a sunny July evening in Singapore, a pawnshop near the Boon Lay MRT station became the scene of a dramatic, yet completely harmless, hostage showdown. The culprit, armed with a knife and a copy‑cat gun, tried to scare his way into a pile of pearls and coins. Turns out the “explosive” was nothing more than a handful of electrical junk.
The Unlikely Threat
- At roughly 4:30 pm, the masked intruder entered the shop and brandished a knife, claiming he demanded cash and jewelry.
- When the staff politely refused, he threatened to blow up the store with an object he called an explosive.
- Before he could finish his pitch‑man’s monologue, he tossed the mysterious parcel on the counter and fled, leaving the shop empty but untouched.
- Staff reacted quickly—shedding the idea of an actual bomb—and promptly removed the package. No injuries occurred.
Exit Chaos and a Quick Clean‑Up
Because of the dangerous‑looking trinket, the buffet‑style exit of the nearby MRT station was temporarily shut for safety checks. When detectives confirmed that no real explosives were involved (just some wires and components), the exit opened again at about 6 pm.
Portrait of the Perpetrator
Police released a still from a video, describing the suspect as about 1.75 m tall and wearing a pink turban, blue jacket, and long brown pants. Blue remains his favorite color, but he apparently missed the baseball cap.
Police Actions and Passenger Impact
- The authorities cordoned off the area between the MRT and the adjacent Jurong Point mall around 5 pm.
- MRT volunteers guided passengers away, and train operations were said to be unaffected by the incident.
- However, a commuter recounted his train skipping Boon Lay, heading straight to Joo Koon—must be some sort of express “Edit: Oops” mode!
Legal Note
This case falls under Section 4(A) of the Arms Offences Act. Conviction could lead to severe penalties, including the death sentence—a stark reminder that even a “prop” gun can pack a serious legal punch.
Ask for Help? Call or Type
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the police hotline at 1800‑255‑0000 or visit the website at www.police.gov.sg/iwitness. Statements will stay confidential, so feel free to speak up—you never know when the next dramatic pawnshop shenanigans might happen!
