SINGAPORE: A man wearing women's clothes was arrested for a robbery attempt in a United Overseas Bank (UOB) branch at City Plaza in Geylang Serai on Monday afternoon.

The suspect had threatened a bank teller to set off a bomb using his mobile phone.

But fears on the ground that the man in his forties had been carrying an explosive later appeared to be unfounded.

According to a CISCO guard who pinned down the suspect, he already knew that something was wrong when the suspect entered the bank. He said the suspect was acting very suspiciously. Furthermore, he was wearing ladies clothes.

After passing a piece of paper to the bank staff, the suspect turned around to face the security guard and warned him not to interfere. That was when the security guard pinned him down.

CISCO security guard, Rosli MD Sa’ad, said: "The moment he turned to me, he said, ‘Don't be a hero. You got three minutes.’ The moment I pinned him down, the rest moved to the side. But I was very lucky as the staff also helped me in this situation."

Behind the building, police had cordoned off another area and a van seemed to be the centre of attention.

Police officers were seen entering and leaving the bank. They were also seen carrying items in bags which the suspect is believed to have had with him while trying to rob the bank. However, the police would not say what the items in the bags were.

According to a UOB spokesman, no one was hurt and the incident is under police investigation. - CNA/vm