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Bikes smashed at Macpherson
coffeeshop Last updated 26 Aug 2003 Back to D'Singapore Scene
The New Paper - 17 May 2003 Students stunned by sight of 8 smashed bikes By Michael Lee
Mr Joel Tan realised that the shouts came from the alley where he and his friend, Mr Kelvin Lee, had parked their motorbikes. The two Ngee Ann Polytechnic students grabbed their helmets and rushed out of the 24-hour Macpherson coffee-shop where they were having supper around 11pm on Sunday. They were shocked by what they saw. Eight motorbikes, including their Hondas, lay damaged on Alkaff Avenue. Both their bikes had dents on the fuel tanks and scratches on the body. But according to Mr Tan, they were fortunate because their bikes were not the most damaged. 'One bike's underbelly was badly damaged, and headlights were smashed. There was broken glass everywhere,' said Mr Tan, 22, a computer engineering student. The other bike owners also arrived soon, wearing the same expression of shock when they saw the destruction. 'We and the other owners never saw or heard anything,' said Mr Tan who does not know the other riders. 'I just saw three motorcyclists riding off in the distance.' Mr Tan said that according to one witness, it was the work of a group of youths. Mr Tan has lodged a report with the police. He wondered why the culprits went around smashing other people's motorbikes 'for no rhyme or reason'. 'I hope my bad experience will make other riders more aware of such dangers,' he said. Mr Tan, who bought his second-hand bike for $6,700, is now worried about the dents this incident will make to his wallet. He said his third-party insurance policy would not cover such damage. 'I've saved up for so long to get this bike, and now I will have to spend more money to repair it,' said Mr Tan. Mr Lee, 20, a mechanical engineering student, was just as upset as he had bought his bike only a month ago for $4,000. He also bought third-party insurance cover. So, will the pair still go to the Macpherson coffee-shop? 'We like to go there during exam periods,' said Mr Lee. 'I guess we will park our bikes in a proper parking lot.' As for his friend, he said he would not be going out later than 9pm from now on. 'Even if I have to, I will probably drive my dad's car,' said Mr Tan. The New Paper went to the area yesterday and interviewed stall-owners at the nearby coffee-shop. Those who were working on that night said they did not see anything until after the damage was done. Said Mr Wong Chee Seng, 48, who works in a snooker club nearby: 'There's always a lot of noise in this area with people collecting rubbish or breaking bottles.' When contacted, the police said they were investigating the case which has been classified as mischief. PENALTY The punishment for mischief is a jail term of up to two years and a maximum fine of $2,000.
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HE had just tucked into a bowl of wantan mee
at a coffeeshop when he heard a commotion.