Youths robbed 3 taxi drivers early Saturday morning with hammer.
SINGAPORE: Taxi driver See Boon Cheong was the first of three victims targeted by a group of young robbers early Saturday morning.
The 60-year-old said the last thing he heard before he was struck many times with a hammer was 'Money, money, money!'.
As a result of the attack, Mr See is suffering from facial and head injuries.
He was robbed of S$160 in cash, two lottery tickets and a shopping voucher at Cheng Soon Garden, off Jalan Jurong Kechil, at about 2.50am.
"I felt the pain but I didn't know it was a hammer," he said.
Mr See can be considered lucky as the second victim has been hospitalised with multiple injuries on his face, head and arm.
The unnamed 50-year-old taxi driver was attacked at about 4.25am at a car park in Clementi Avenue 3, but the robbers fled empty-handed.
At about 5.20am, the robbers struck again. Their third victim was 52-year-old Fong Peng Weng who was robbed of his mobile phone and about S$300 in cash, but he was left unhurt.
Two of the culprits were caught at Jurong East Bus Interchange after 5.25am and the third youth was arrested at a car park in Jurong East Street 13. The latter had a hammer with him.
The three youngsters C a 15-year-old school dropout and two 16-year-old students at a private school C will be charged in court on Monday with armed robbery.
If convicted, they could each get a jail term of at least five years and 12 strokes of the cane.
Over the last two years, police said there have been cases of taxi drivers being robbed. In fact, two of the cases in February also happened at Cheng Soon Gardens.
- CNA/so
What necessary precaution must we Taxis Drivers be alert in future happening. During broad daylight this can happen.
The three youngsters C a 15-year-old school dropout and two 16-year-old students at a private school C will be charged in court on Monday with armed robbery.
If convicted, they could each get a jail term of at least five years and 12 strokes of the cane.
Farked-up Jurong is a farked up place ! Last time one cabby was killed at Jurong West !
I was supposed to drive on Saturday nite. Luckily i decide not to drive, else i might end up as one of the victim. The places happened is just too near my house.....
On reaching their destination, one of the youth covered the taxi driver eyes from behind while the other hit his head with the hammer.
If the bus driver is protected with tranparent PVC sheild on behind their seat as protection device, Perhap all taxi in furture will have the same. So this may not easy again to happen, easy target for robber to attack taxi dirver from behind. LTA should look into this, the safety of the drivers.
In order to protect yourself, think of your own safety first.For me, I do not pick up pax at places of ill-repute. This already helps to protect me to a great extent.
If there are such problems of pax not paying the taxi fare, drivers got beaten up and drivers got robbed. LTA should not control taxi drivers especially those who works the night shift that they cant choose pax to pick since LTA and taxi company did not have any law to protect taxi drivers.
Why wait for LTA or taxi company to implement law to protect ourselves. We should take care of ourselves first. Remember no one owe us a living in this cruel and reality world.
Face this reality and no point complaining that LTA or whoever should protect us becos they dun give a damn.
#Rule 1: You can do anything and is not wrong as long as you are not caught!!!
On paper survey, 49 fell victim double the 24 in 2006. This year, 14 fallen prey so far.
According to the report, taxis have an emergency button installed near the accelaration pedals which drivers can easily activate to notify the centre. This is the only safety percaution given by the company to all taxis driver in danger situation arise.
But what about the knife or THE HAMMER already strike body harm on taxi drivers, does this little Red Dot button really make any help??? from the centre waiting for help to come.
Another point they said Taxi Operator tied out the ideal of putting up screens five year ago. but they felt cabbies and passengers they were a "barrier to communication". Look, some bank btw the bank teller and the customer, is there any probelm with this barrier till today.
Thing is happening everyday, so don't wait until MSK toilet escape than said I AM SORRY. than that will be too late.
The danger is not they the people in the Headquarter, the taxi drivers life and those in front line running on the road who face the music.
Seriously, Australia, China, Britain have implemented the use or the screen and others.
Why? Little Red Dot are not in the front line. my country. Alway Alway.
Think, this are all the tips from what cabbies are doing... "I won't pick up a 14-year-old from industrial area because chances are he won't be up to any good." And other suggestion that keeping a pole or a can or air freshener spray by their side or hiding their earnings in different place. An many other. "As with every job, being a cabby has its dangers. We just have to be careful." Will this work?
Start your career with us. Get a taxi driver's Vocational Licence Faster through super express class Be our Hirer or be our Relief and all the benefit from XYZ and many gooodie. What Safety precaution they are providing us my question.