A 59-year-old man was arrested after allegedly taking a lorry that had been parked along a road in Bukit Merah while workers were unloading goods.
The man reportedly became unhappy with the lorry’s position, claiming that it was blocking his way. The situation escalated when he allegedly boarded the vehicle and drove it away, despite attempts by one of the workers to stop him.
The incident happened on Thursday evening (Aug 20), with the police receiving a report at around 7.15pm that a lorry had been stolen.
Man allegedly pushed worker before driving off
Preliminary investigations found that the lorry had been parked along Jalan Bukit Merah while the victim and several employees were unloading goods.
A 59-year-old man subsequently approached the group and complained that the lorry was obstructing his path. He then allegedly got into the lorry and drove away.
Police said that one of the employees attempted to stop the man, but was allegedly pushed to the ground during the incident.
Officers from the Central Police Division responded to the report and began investigations to establish the identity and whereabouts of the suspect.
The police managed to identify and locate the man within six hours of receiving the report. He was subsequently arrested, while the lorry was also recovered.
Man to be charged in court
The 59-year-old man is expected to be charged in court on Saturday (Aug 22) with an offence relating to the theft of a motor vehicle.
If convicted, he could face up to seven years in prison and a fine.
The incident highlights how a seemingly ordinary dispute over a vehicle blocking a road can quickly escalate into a serious criminal matter. Members of the public who encounter disputes involving parking, loading or road access are advised to resolve them through the appropriate channels rather than taking matters into their own hands.
The police said they take such offences seriously and will not tolerate unlawful behaviour. Investigations into the case are ongoing, with the accused’s case now set to proceed through the courts.