The Police have arrested a 33 year old man for his suspected involvement in loansharking activities.
On 15 August 2016, the Police received a report on loanshark harassment whereby the main door of a residential unit at Marine Terrace was burned and loanshark related graffiti was found on the wall beside the unit. Through extensive ground enquiries and with the aid of Police Cameras (POLCAMs), officers from Bedok Division arrested the suspect at the vicinity of Lorong 35 Geylang on 16 August 2016.
Three tins of paint, a spray can, a tin of lighter fluid, two black bicycle locks, three markers and a pair of gloves were seized from the suspect as case exhibits.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect is believed to be involved in several cases of loanshark harassment in Tampines and Pasir Ris estate by splashing paint, locking the unit’s gate with bicycle lock and scrawling loanshark-related graffiti on the walls of debtors’ units.
The suspect will be charged in Court on 18 August 2016.
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.
The Police have zero tolerance for such lawless acts of loanshark harassment involving fire which threaten the community’s sense of safety. Those inclined to commit these acts of harassment causing damage and endangering lives of innocent victims will be pursued and dealt with severely in accordance with the law.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
17 August 2016 @ 8:00 PM