A 31-year-old man was arrested on 16 September after leading police on a high-speed chase, crashing his vehicle, and biting an officer in an attempt to flee on foot. The incident began around 1:25 am when Traffic Police officers spotted the suspect speeding on the Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway (KPE). Despite being signalled to stop, the man sped away, eventually crashing into a metal pole along Punggol Central and attempting to escape on foot. During his apprehension, the suspect bit an officer on the left arm before being subdued with the help of reinforcements. Drug paraphernalia was found in his possession, and he was also wanted for offering his Singpass credentials for cash in February.
Background
The suspect, identified as Mohammad Ridzuan Rohaizat, 31, was initially spotted driving at 106 km/h on the KPE. When signalled to stop by Traffic Police officers, he accelerated and evaded pursuit. After running a red light, he crashed his car into a metal pole along Punggol Central and fled on foot. Officers managed to catch up with him, but during the struggle, Ridzuan bit one of the officers on the left arm. Additional officers arrived, and Ridzuan was eventually subdued and arrested. Drug paraphernalia was found in his possession, and he was also wanted for a previous offence involving his Singpass credentials.
2 days’ MC
The 26-year-old officer who was bitten suffered a bruise on his left arm and was discharged from the hospital with two days of medical leave. Ridzuan will be charged on 17 September with voluntarily causing hurt to deter a public servant from the discharge of his duty. He will also face charges under the Computer Misuse Act for disclosing his Singpass details, as well as charges for dangerous driving, driving without a valid licence, and using a motor vehicle without insurance coverage. Investigations by the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) into the suspected drug-related offences are ongoing.
Legal repercussions
Ridzuan’s actions have led to multiple charges. He will be charged with voluntarily causing hurt to deter a public servant, a serious offence that could result in significant penalties. Additionally, his previous offence of offering his Singpass credentials for cash will be addressed under the Computer Misuse Act. The charges for dangerous driving, driving without a valid licence, and using a motor vehicle without insurance coverage further compound his legal troubles. The ongoing CNB investigation into his suspected drug-related offences could lead to additional charges.
Community impact
This incident highlights the dangers faced by law enforcement officers in the line of duty. The quick response and coordination among the officers ensured that the suspect was apprehended despite his attempts to flee. The discovery of drug paraphernalia and the suspect’s previous criminal activities underscore the importance of vigilance and thorough investigations by the police. The community can take some reassurance from the fact that the suspect was swiftly brought to justice, but it also serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges in maintaining public safety.
Future implications
The outcome of Ridzuan’s case could set a precedent for similar offences in the future. The charges he faces are severe, and a conviction could result in significant penalties, including imprisonment. This case also highlights the importance of robust law enforcement and the need for continued efforts to combat drug-related crimes and other offences. The police’s ability to quickly apprehend suspects and bring them to justice is crucial in maintaining public trust and safety. Future developments in this case will be closely watched, as they may influence how similar cases are handled in the future.
