Man arrested after unattended bag sparks brief shutdown of Hougang MRT station

SINGAPORE — The police have arrested a 39-year-old man for leaving an unattended bag at Hougang MRT station that sparked security fears and a brief shutdown of the station on Sunday afternoon (April 2).

On inspection, the bag was found to contain only household items, the police said in a statement. The station was given the all-clear and reopened to commuters around 4pm.

"Preliminary investigations revealed that the man had intentionally left his bag inside the Hougang MRT station while he ran an errand," the police added.

The man was arrested for causing public alarm, and was escorted out of the Hougang MRT station in handcuffs at around 7.30pm.

According to SBS Transit, which operates the North-East Line (NEL), an unattended luggage bag was discovered on the boarding platform of the Hougang station at about 2.40pm.

Shortly after, commuters were alerted to a "security incident" and told that all NEL trains would not stop at Hougang station.

"For the safety of all passengers, trains were made to bypass Hougang station and the Police were alerted," the transport operator said in a statement.

The station was briefly shuttered as police conducted checks. Commuters, who were told to take alternative transport, milled around the entrances to the station despite the police's advice to avoid the area.

"At close to 4.00pm, the bag was opened and its contents found to be non-dangerous," said SBS Transit. "Train service resumed at 4.03pm at Hougang Station."

Meanwhile, officers from the Ang Mo Kio Police Division and the Public Transport Security Command tracked down the owner of the bag with help from SBS Transit, and arrested him at the station at 4.35pm.

The police said it took all security threats seriously, and warned that it would not hesitate to take action against those who intentionally cause public alarm.

"The Police would also like to remind the public not to leave personal belongings unattended and to report any suspicious items or behaviour to the MRT staff or the Police immediately," it added.