A local man has been arrested after injuring a plainclothes police officer who had tried to intercept him for operating an illegal cab, commonly referred to as a “white card” in Cantonese, as he attempted to flee the scene, Public Security Police (PSP) spokeswoman Lai In Hong said during a regular press conference yesterday.
The suspect surnamed Iun is in his fifties.
According to Lai, during the crackdown on illegal cab operations at the Barrier Gate checkpoint amidst Typhoon Signal No. 8 on Monday, a plainclothes officer noticed a suspicious vehicle discharging passengers in the area.
As the vehicle halted at traffic lights, the officer approached, displaying his police identification and signalling the driver, Iun, to open the window for questioning. However, Iun refused to cooperate and made an attempt to flee, resulting in a collision with the officer and causing injuries to his right arm and right leg.
The injured officer promptly called for reinforcements and, with the assistance of nearby officers, eventually intercepted Iun.
Lai noted that one of the passengers told the police that he had paid 100 patacas for Iun’s services during the typhoon.
Under questioning, Iun confessed to operating an illegal cab but claimed that he was unaware the plainclothes officer was a policeman. He claimed to have believed that “a stranger” wished to board his vehicle, leading him to attempt to drive away.
Iun has been transferred to the Public Prosecutions Office (MP), facing charges of causing bodily harm and disobeying police orders, Lai said.
This undated handout photo provided by the Public Security Police (PSP) yesterday shows PSP officers escorting the local suspect to the PSP Traffic Department.
