SINGAPORE — A 47-year-old man was charged in court on Friday (March 8) for allegedly robbing the management of a Kopitiam food court of about S$6,000, while armed with a knife.

Tan Lye Meng is also accused of helping to stage the robbery, which the police believe was cooked up by a staff member of the Kopitiam outlet at Rivervale Plaza in Sengkang.

Court documents showed that Tan allegedly committed the robbery at about 11.45am on March 3.

The police said in a press release that the 49-year-old staff member reported to the police that an unknown man, armed with a knife, had entered the Kopitiam management office and demanded money. He then made off with S$20,000, claimed the employee.

When the police investigated further, they found several inconsistencies in the staff member’s account of the incident. They also identified the alleged robber, Tan, and arrested him on March 7.

From preliminary investigations, the police said they believe the food court employee was behind the robbery plot. He had approached Tan for help after an acquaintance recommended him.

Both the Kopitiam staff member and the acquaintance, 51, have been arrested. Investigations against them are ongoing.

Tan also faces five drug-related charges. He is accused of consuming methamphetamine on April 10, 2018, as well as possessing other controlled drugs on Oct 1, 2018.

He was remanded for investigations and will next appear in court on March 15.

Armed robbery carries a punishment of five to 20 years’ jail, and at least 12 strokes of the cane.