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2 foreign workers receive Public Spiritedness Award for helping off-duty policeman restrain armed man in Chua Chu Kang

SINGAPORE — Two foreign workers who earlier this week helped an off-duty policeman restrain a man armed with a knife were awarded the Public Spiritedness Award on Friday (Oct 2).

Mr Ravi Santhoshkumar (second row, left) and Mr Panchavarnam Suresh (second row, right) helped to  restrain a man after he was subdued by Sergeant Ezekiel Letchumanan K Saminadan (first row, right).

Mr Ravi Santhoshkumar (second row, left) and Mr Panchavarnam Suresh (second row, right) helped to restrain a man after he was subdued by Sergeant Ezekiel Letchumanan K Saminadan (first row, right).

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SINGAPORE — Two foreign workers who earlier this week helped an off-duty policeman restrain a man armed with a knife were awarded the Public Spiritedness Award on Friday (Oct 2).

The award honours members of the public for helping the police to stop crime.

In a news release, the police said that the two workers — Mr Panchavarnam Suresh and Mr Ravi Santhoshkumar — helped to keep the man down after he had been subdued by Sergeant Ezekiel Letchumanan K Saminadan. 

The police received a call for assistance on Sept 29 at about noon regarding a commotion involving a man holding a knife at Block 409 Choa Chu Kang Avenue 3.

Sergeant Ezekiel — an off-duty police officer from the Jurong Police Division — saw the incident from his home nearby.

Realising that the man had a weapon, Sergeant Ezekiel sought the assistance of Mr Panchavarnam and Mr Ravi who were at a nearby work site.

Sergeant Ezekiel subdued the man, while the two Indian nationals helped to restrain him.

The 23-year-old suspect was later arrested for voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapon. Police investigations are ongoing.

In videos of the incident that had been circulating on social media, a man can be seen holding a knife before he slashes himself on the arm. Another video shows a woman with what appears to be blood on her face.

Commenting on the incident, Assistant Commissioner of Police Devrajan Bala said: “Sergeant Ezekiel and the two workers had displayed bravery by restraining the armed subject to prevent any further harm to others.

“This is not the first time that members of our migrant community have stepped forward to render assistance to someone in need. Their selfless act is highly commendable.”

Related topics

Public Spiritedness Award Migrant Workers police crime Chua Chu Kang

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