Punggol Field stabbing

Man, 20, held over alleged murder of jogger

Preliminary investigations show suspect was acting alone and was not known to the victim

Mr Tay Rui Hao was working as an area manager at a retail store. The 38-year-old was jogging when he was stabbed near a bus stop in Punggol Field last Sunday. A resident heard his cries for help. PHOTO: TAY RUI HAO/FACEBOOK
Mr Tay Rui Hao was working as an area manager at a retail store. The 38-year-old was jogging when he was stabbed near a bus stop in Punggol Field last Sunday. A resident heard his cries for help. PHOTO: TAY RUI HAO/FACEBOOK

A 20-year-old Singaporean man has been arrested over the suspected murder of a jogger in Punggol Field. He is expected to be charged with murder in court today.

The charge carries the death penalty.

The police identified and arrested the man yesterday at 2.45am following round-the-clock investigations, extensive ground inquiries and review of closed-circuit television camera footage. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect was not known to the victim and is believed to have acted alone.

Last Sunday, Mr Tay Rui Hao, 38, was jogging in the area when he was stabbed near the bus stop in Punggol Field, opposite Block 227A Sumang Lane.

A resident heard Mr Tay's cries for help and saw him struggling to the bus stop, where he collapsed on a grass patch. Mr Tay then told the resident that he had been attacked and was losing his breath.

The resident called the police and Mr Tay was sent to Sengkang General Hospital where he later died from his injuries.

The police thanked members of the public for providing valuable information which aided the investigations and contributed to the arrest.

The police said they are working with the prosecution to seek a court order for the suspect to be remanded for psychiatric evaluation.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Investigations and Intelligence) Florence Chua, who is also director of the Criminal Investigation Department, commended the officers who had worked tirelessly to solve the case.

"Our officers displayed perseverance and tenacity in their investigations, leaving no stone unturned as they pursued all available leads. The solving of this case also reaffirms the close partnership between the police and the community, and the important role that the public plays in fighting crime," she said.

Mr Tay is believed to be married and was working as an area manager at a retail store.

His father told Chinese dailies Lianhe Wanbao and Shin Min Daily News that his son had texted him earlier in the day to tell him he was heading out for a run as he was feeling cooped up at home due to the circuit breaker measures.

And that was the last he heard from his son.

Mr Tay's father said he, his wife and daughter rushed to Sengkang General Hospital at about 1am last Monday but they were too late.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on May 17, 2020, with the headline Man, 20, held over alleged murder of jogger. Subscribe