Introduction

Residents of Toh Yi estate in Singapore are on edge after troubling reports surfaced about a man in his 30s allegedly stalking children in their vicinity. First spotted in July, this bespectacled figure has been seen engaging with kids, attempting to collect their telephone numbers.

Community Response

The Toh Yi Residents' Network, a community group committed to neighborhood safety, issued a warning after he was reported following a young girl and her helper back to their Housing and Development Board (HDB) block. Derrick Tan, the chair of the network, emphasized the seriousness of the situation, recalling that the same individual had asked a group of boys to run errands for him and encouraged them to visit his home.

Parental Concerns

Local university student and long-time resident, Jeff Escanuela, shared the alert in a Telegram group to keep his younger sister, who is still in secondary school, informed and vigilant. He stated, "It's crucial for families to be aware of such incidents, especially with children involved."

School Awareness

Staff members at Pei Hwa Presbyterian Primary School located in the estate are also mindful of the advisory, and local residents report that the man was previously sighted lurking near a playground adjacent to the school.

Related Incident

The community's concerns deepened following a separate incident on November 5 at Thomson Plaza, where a father confronted a man he believes approached his nine-year-old daughter while she was alone at a claw machine. In a heated three-minute video that spread rapidly on WhatsApp, the father confronted the man, known as "John," who allegedly pressured the child into sharing her phone number.

Justifications and Unsettling Revelations

In the footage, the man attempts to justify his actions, claiming he did not intend to frighten the girl but simply wanted to make friends. However, unsettling revelations emerged as the father shared that John's phone contained messages indicating inappropriate attempts to connect with young girls, raising alarms among parents throughout the area.

Mother's Statement

Compounding the anxiety, a message purportedly from John’s mother surfaced in the WhatsApp groups, explaining her son's behavior and asking for patience. She disclosed that he had sought professional help for his impulsive tendencies, hoping the community could understand his situation.

Law Enforcement Involvement

Law enforcement is now involved, confirming they are investigating the reports concerning both the Toh Yi estate and the Thomson Plaza incident. A police spokesperson noted they are speaking with a 30-year-old individual in connection with the mall incident but did not clarify whether this man is the same one reported in Toh Yi.

Community Vigilance

As parents rally together in WhatsApp groups to discuss these alarming occurrences, they urge each other to remain vigilant. This wave of concern highlights how swiftly a community can mobilize when it’s facing threats to safety, especially those involving children. Stay tuned for updates as investigations continue, and protect your loved ones from potential danger!