Alert passers-by foiled a theft yesterday, when a man allegedly tried to steal a fishmonger's takings while he was serving a customer.

The 50-year-old stall worker, who gave his name as Mr Ye, had been chopping fish when the thief was said to have snatched about $200 from a container on the counter at Chong Pang Market.

"He stuffed it into a plastic bag, turned around and ran," Mr Ye told Chinese evening paper Shin Min Daily News. "That's when I shouted for help."

His plea caught the attention of other tenants and passers-by, who caught the 55-year-old man and restrained him with cable ties.

Police said they received a call for assistance at 10.25am at Block 104 Yishun Ring Road.

The man was said to have shown signs of discomfort after struggling to break free.

Paramedics were called and took his heart rate before putting him on a stretcher and taking him by ambulance to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital. Police have arrested the man and are investigating.

WALTER SIM