The Police have arrested two men aged 25 and 26 for their suspected involvement in separate cases of serial loanshark harassment.
On 29 June 2016, the Police received a few loanshark harassment reports at a few HDB residential units in the Hougang housing estate, which had been splashed with paint. Loanshark-related graffiti were also found scrawled on the walls adjacent to the affected units. Through extensive ground enquiries, officers from Ang Mo Kio Division established the identity of the 26-year-old suspect and arrested him in the vicinity of Bedok on 1 July 2016. Preliminary investigations revealed that he is believed to have committed similar loanshark harassments cases in other areas.
In a separate case reported on 30 June 2016, the Police received a call informing that a man had been detained at Blk 143 Lorong 2 Toa Payoh for having allegedly scrawled loanshark-related graffiti on the wall at the lift landing. The 25-year-old suspect and his vehicle were searched upon Police’s arrival and he was arrested subsequently. Loanshark paraphernalia which included two black-ink markers, ten cans of paint and a mobile phone found in his possession were seized as case exhibits. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect is believed to have carried out similar acts of harassment in Yishun, Jurong, Bedok, Choa Chu Kang and Rivervale housing estates. .
Both suspects will be charged in Court on 2 July 2016 under the Moneylenders Act 2010 (Revised Edition). Under the Moneylenders Act (Revised Edition 2010), first time offenders found guilty of loanshark harassment shall be fined not less than $5,000 and not more than $50,000 with mandatory imprisonment of up to 5 years and mandatory caning of up to 6 strokes.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
01 July 2016 @ 5:28 PM