All this over a straw? Singapore man jailed after returning to convenience store armed with two knives

SINGAPORE, June 19 — What began as a dispute over a drinking straw ended with a man returning to a convenience store armed with two knives — and ultimately being jailed for six months.

The bizarre confrontation unfolded at a convenience store at 78 Redhill Lane in Singapore on May 1 after a customer allegedly became enraged when he believed he had been refused a straw with his purchase, according to Shin Min Daily News.

The Chinese-language daily reported that 55-year-old Wu Zhijian (transliterated) had bought bread and a canned drink before asking store manager Prebu Karuppiah, 42, for a straw.

Wu accused the shopkeeper of refusing his request, sparking a heated argument.

Although Wu stormed out of the shop, the dispute was far from over.

Just minutes later, he allegedly returned carrying a knife in each hand.

According to Shin Min, Wu shouted at Karuppiah while brandishing the blades and threatened to harm him before shoving the store’s cash register and leaving the premises.

Karuppiah quickly alerted the police, telling officers that Wu lived in the same block, upstairs from the shop.

CCTV footage from the store reportedly captured a man wearing a red shirt walking while holding a knife in each hand.

Police arrested Wu later that afternoon, and he was charged the following day.

Shin Min reported yesterday that Wu pleaded guilty to one count of criminal intimidation, while another charge of theft was taken into consideration during sentencing.

The court also heard that Wu had been under a remission order from February 11 to May 9. By committing another offence during that period, he breached the conditions of the order.

In handing down the sentence, the judge noted Wu’s lengthy criminal history, which stretches back to 1992, with his most recent previous offence committed last October.

Wu was sentenced to six months’ jail, with an additional seven days’ imprisonment for violating the terms of his remission order.