SINGAPORE - A 35-year-old man was arrested after evading police and leading them on a car chase in Geylang on Wednesday (Feb 22) afternoon.

The police told The Straits Times on Saturday (Feb 25) that they were performing routine vehicular checks along Guillemard Road towards Paya Lebar Road on Wednesday at 2.30pm.

Police stopped a van driver after spotting that he did not have his seatbelt on, Lianhe Wanbao reported on Saturday (Feb 25).

The man allegedly slowed down only to speed up suddenly in an attempt to escape.

He reportedly ran a red light onto Geylang Road, chased by at least five police cars, Wanbao said.

The man was eventually stopped at Geylang Lorong 22.

A search of his vehicle revealed 600 contraband cigarettes, Wanbao reported.

ST understands that cigarettes were found in his vehicle.

Police told ST that the 35-year-old male driver refused to comply with police instructions and sped off when he was stopped.

"After a brief pursuit, the man was arrested for dangerous driving," said the police spokesman.

Police investigations are ongoing.