TAIPEI: An attempt to play peacemaker outside a popular ramen eatery in Taiwan turned sour for a Singaporean on Saturday (March 1), who ended up at the police station to assist with investigations.
The 31-year-old, who was not named, was caught up in a tussle with two men – surnamed Meng and Ye – who were queueing to eat at a 24-hour Ichiran outlet in Taipei’s bustling Xinyi district at around 5am on March 1, local media reported.
Feb 28 was Peace Memorial Day in Taiwan, a holiday that extended into the weekend. Ichiran is a ramen chain with more than 80 outlets in and out of Japan.
According to police investigations, a security guard from the noodle shop was allegedly manhandled by Meng and Ye after he tried to stop the men from smoking while waiting in line.
When the man from Singapore stepped in to assist the guard, it spiralled into a physical altercation between him and the two smokers.
Adding to the chaos was a security guard from a neighbouring KTV surnamed Hong, who reportedly used a pepper spray in the direction of the Singaporean.
Local police took the Singaporean, Meng, Ye and Hong to Taipei City’s Sanzhangli Police Station for investigations as all parties were insistent on pressing charges, according to Taiwanese media.
Hong was charged with violating the Social Order Maintenance Act for the use of a pepper spray and endangering others. He faces three days’ imprisonment and a NT$30,000 (S$1,230) fine.
The other three men are being investigated by the district prosecutor for causing injury to others. - The Straits Times/ANN
