Nail file fracas ends in gunpoint arrest

A wanted man was held at gunpoint by a plainclothes policeman after he punched him and threatened him with a nail file in Sheung Shui.

The man also challenged the constable to "punch me back if you have the guts" before he was arrested for assaulting police and possession of a weapon.

At noon yesterday, the unemployed man was stopped by the constable outside Shek Wu Hui Market.

He was on the wanted list for outstanding fines for previous offenses, sources said.

Refusing to cooperate, the man punched the constable and took out a nail file to threaten the constable.

The constable drew his service revolver to warn him, but the suspect remained unfazed, standing with his arms crossed.

He then sat on the edge of a planter until police reinforcements arrived.

Several plainclothes police frisked the man with extendable batons, after which they handcuffed him and escorted him to a waiting police vehicle.

The constable who held him at gunpoint was taken to the hospital after suffering injuries from tackling the man. He was in a stable condition.

A witness said the scuffle drew attention, during which some people tried to separate the two without knowing one was a police officer.

This is the second incident within 24 hours where police had to draw their guns in warning.

In the other case, officers drew guns after four burglars stole more than HK$230,000 worth of goods from a Tuen Mun detached house last Sunday.

Of the four suspects, three - including two burglars surnamed Wei and aged 38 and 40, and a getaway driver, Yu, were arrested for burglary, illegal immigration and aiding a person to enter Hong Kong illegally.

The remaining suspect, whose age is estimated to be between 30 and 40, and armed with an extendable baton, is being sought by the police.

All four are apparently with the mainland-based Wei family gang, according to sources.

At 9 pm, a domestic helper found four burglars breaking into the house in Milan Court on Ng Lau Road, Tuen Mun.

Officers from the emergency unit arrived as two of the burglars were trying to leave with the stolen goods.

Officers then drew their guns but the two ignored them, while one tried to get into a getaway car and the other managed to run away.

Soon after, officers stopped the car.

All three were arrested after a struggle.