Dave Teo

Who is Dave Teo?

Dave Teo Ming is a Singaporean former soldier who gained national headlines when he went absent without official leave on 2 September 2007 from Mandai Hill Camp with a SAR-21 assault rifle and eight live 5.56mm rounds. Before he went AWOL, he was serving as a Full-Time National Serviceman in the 1st Singapore Infantry Regiment and held the rank of Corporal.

Teo was arrested by the police 20 hours later in the Orchard Road shopping district with the assault rifle, the eight rounds and a knife in his possession. Facing charges in the High Court, Teo was sentenced in July 2008 to nine years and two months' imprisonment and 18 strokes of the cane for various weapon charges. The incident has also led to the Singapore Armed Forces reviewing and tightening security procedures in its camps.