He will be charged with possessing an offensive weapon in a public area.
Preliminary investigations by the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) found that the man's urine tested positive for controlled drugs.
The incident unfolded on Monday at 7.35 am, when the police responded to a call for assistance at Block 108 Yishun Ring Road. When officers arrived, they saw a man holding the knife to the woman's neck.
The officers spoke to the man, who continued holding the woman at knifepoint and moved about 50m to a coffee shop. That was when officers found a window of opportunity to disarm and arrest him.
The man did not make any threats or demands to the officers.
The whole episode lasted for about 20 minutes, and the knife has been seized. The man could be remanded at the Institute of Mental Health for psychiatric evaluation. Investigations are ongoing.
The woman, who is believed to live in the neighbourhood, was walking alone below a block in Yishun Ring Road when she was approached by the man.
This story is from the January 10, 2023 edition of The Straits Times.
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This story is from the January 10, 2023 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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