Ang Mo Kio hawker arrested over chopper attack on friend at Block 628 food centre

A chopper-wielding hawker (in striped red) allegedly hacked a friend (in red) on Thursday, Jan 16, 2014, after he refused to pay back money he lent him. -- PHOTO: SHIN MIN
A chopper-wielding hawker (in striped red) allegedly hacked a friend (in red) on Thursday, Jan 16, 2014, after he refused to pay back money he lent him. -- PHOTO: SHIN MIN

A chopper-wielding hawker allegedly hacked a friend on Thursday after he refused to pay back money he lent him.

The bloody altercation ended with the arrest of the 46-year-old drinks stall-owner, known only as "Ah Song" to fellow hawkers at Block 628 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 4.

The victim sustained cuts to his right arm and was taken conscious to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital.

Police received a call at 10.56am requesting assistance and are investigating the hawker for voluntarily causing hurt with dangerous means. If charged and convicted, he could face a jail term of up to seven years or a fine.

Hawkers and eyewitnesses said Ah Song runs Seng Hup Heng Coffee Stall, which was closed after the incident.

They told The Straits Times that the two men had gambled on football together several years ago. The acquaintance, who stays in the neighbourhood, was mired in debt and borrowed money from Ah Song to repay his debtors.

Mr Tan Hee Chong, 69, who runs a dessert store at the market, said in Mandarin: "The man once beat Ah Song up three months ago after he asked for his money back. I think Ah Song is now facing some form of financial difficulty and badly needs his money back.

"Ah Song swore revenge, but never did I expect him to go to such lengths. They should have talked things out peacefully."

A fellow hawker, who works at a pigs trotter stall and declined to be named, said the fight ended up with both men scuffling on the ground. She said she rushed forward to calm them down before police arrived, adding "Ah Song voluntarily turned himself in."

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