A man in his forties was arrested on Tuesday morning after he held up traffic along Changi Road by throwing chairs from a restaurant.

Eyewitness Lee Tong Chsia, 40, was on his way to work when he saw the Caucasian man flinging chairs and potted plants outside the New Hawa coffee shop along Changi Road into the path of motor traffic. He said that there were about 40 chairs on the road at one point, obstructing traffic. He took a video of the incident and posted it on citizen journalism website Stomp.

Police were alerted at about 5.20am, and the man was subsequently arrested for allegedly committing a rash act. The Straits Times understands that he is a Singaporean permanent resident.

Mr Lee, a doctor, added that the man's behaviour was belligerent and aggressive. "He was shouting across the road at onlookers. One of the chairs he threw even hit a bus." He also said that after he had called the police, they arrived within five minutes and the troublemaker was arrested "without much resistance". The onlookers then helped to clear the road of debris so that motorists could resume their commute.

New Hawa's manager, Mr Chew Kee How, 61, said that nobody at his Halal eatery witnessed the incident, as the place usually closes at 4am. "We don't know the guy, but about five or six chairs were broken," he said, adding that the damages amounted to about $100. He feels that this was a one-off incident, and does not intend to secure the chairs after closing time. "We are just thankful to those who helped us put back the chairs and pots."

The offence of Rash Act carries a maximum punishment of a jail term of six months and a fine of $2,500. Police investigations are ongoing.