The Police have arrested two male youths, aged 16 and 18, in connection to the case of loanshark harassment involving fire which was reported at Blk 59 Lengkok Bahru on 1 May 2016.
Following the report, officers from Clementi Division worked relentlessly round-the-clock to carry out extensive investigative probes and ground enquiries. The officers’ efforts paid off when the identity of the first suspect was established and he was arrested at his residence in an operation mounted by the Police on 4 May 2016. The second suspect, an 18-year-old male youth, was swiftly arrested at his residence thereafter. Preliminary investigations revealed that both suspects are believed to be involved in two other cases of loanshark harassment by fire reported at Hougang Street 51 and Sembawang Drive on 1 and 2 May 2016 respectively.
Both suspects will be charged in Court on 6 May 2016 under the Moneylenders Act 2010 (Revised Edition). Under the Moneylenders Act (Revised Edition 2010), first-time offenders found guilty of acting on behalf of an unlicensed moneylender, committing or attempting to commit any acts of harassment shall be punished with imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, a fine of not less than $5,000 and not more than $50,000, and shall also be liable to caning of not less than three and not more than six strokes.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Investigations & Intelligence) concurrent Director of the Criminal Investigation Department, Tan Chye Hee commended the hard work and determination of the officers in solving the case. He added, “Police have zero tolerance for such lawless acts of loanshark harassment involving fire. 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.”
Case Exhibits Seized
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
05 May 2016 @ 9:00 PM