Advertisement

Suspected gang member bought knives ahead of showdown with rival group in Toa Payoh

Benjamin Lee Zhe Qing, 21, had purchased knives in Geylang for his fellow gang members ahead of the confrontation. (PHOTO: Dhany Osman / Yahoo News Singapore)
Benjamin Lee Zhe Qing, 21, had purchased knives in Geylang for his fellow gang members ahead of the confrontation. (PHOTO: Dhany Osman / Yahoo News Singapore)

In the early hours of 13 September, suspected members of two rival gangs met at Block 177 Toa Payoh Central to settle a dispute.

Both sides had arrived armed with kitchen knives and PVC pipes filled with concrete. Following a discussion, it was agreed that their issues would be resolved by having one member of each group take part in a one-on-one fight.

As Benjamin Lee Zhe Qing, 21, and Wang Yaoting, 18, scuffled at the open-air carpark behind the block, police officers from the nearby Toa Payoh Neighbourhood Police Centre arrived.

Despite their attempts to flee – some by car and some on foot – nine of the men were arrested at the scene. Follow-up investigations saw another four men arrested, including Lee and Wang.

These details were revealed on Tuesday (18 September) when Lee was brought back to the scene of the confrontation, during which he showed Criminal Investigation Department officers the spots where the gangs met and later decided to hold their fight.

Lee had fled the scene when police arrived but was eventually apprehended and charged for illegal assembly with a deadly weapon. (PHOTO: Dhany Osman / Yahoo News Singapore)
Lee had fled the scene when police arrived but was eventually apprehended and charged for illegal assembly with a deadly weapon. (PHOTO: Dhany Osman / Yahoo News Singapore)

Yahoo News Singapore understands that the police had received a call at 3.45am from a member of the public who informed the police that there were two groups of armed men who looked ready to fight near the block.

Officers arrived at the scene within five minutes and blocked off the carpark gantry, preventing some of the gang members from escaping. Investigations also revealed that Lee had purchased kitchen knives in Geylang for his fellow gang members prior to the confrontation between the groups.

Thus far, 11 men – aged from 18 to 30 – involved in the incident have been charged for illegal assembly with deadly weapons, while investigations against the remaining two men are ongoing.

More Singapore stories:

Thai national fined $6,000 for defaulting on Singapore NS obligations

Goh Chok Tong says his Emeritus Senior Minister post comes with no pay