SINGAPORE - A man was hauled up before a district court on Friday after he allegedly robbed a Pasir Ris minimart with a knife on Wednesday morning.

Imran Zulkhifli, 31, who was charged with robbery, is accused of targeting the One-Stop Minimart at Block 136 Pasir Ris Street 11, and making off with a total of $580 in cash.

In a statement on Friday morning, police said that officers were alerted to the case at around 1.50am on Wednesday.

A spokesman for the police said: “Preliminary investigations revealed that the (accused), who was allegedly armed with a knife, robbed the victim by demanding that the victim hand over money from the cash register.

“Through ground inquiries and with the aid of CCTV (closed-circuit television) images, officers from Bedok Police Division established the identity of the man and arrested him within 18 hours of the report.”

Officers also seized a knife and $276 in cash.

The commander of the division, Assistant Commissioner of Police Justin Wong, said: “The man committed a brazen act of robbery, and the police will spare no effort in ensuring that offenders are swiftly apprehended and dealt with in accordance with the law.

“Members of the public who encounter such cases are advised to remain calm, take note of the physical appearance and any distinctive physical features of the perpetrator, and call the police as soon as possible.”

Imran’s case has been adjourned to March 3.

Offenders convicted of armed robbery can be sentenced to three to 14 years’ jail, and at least 12 strokes of the cane.