The Police have arrested a 19-year-old man in connection to a case of loanshark harassment involving fire at Blk 318 Woodlands Street 31 on 6 March 2016.
Following the report, officers from Jurong Division and the Criminal Investigation Department worked relentlessly round-the-clock to carry out extensive investigative probes and ground enquiries. The officers’ efforts paid off when the identity of the suspect was established and he was arrested at his residence in an operation mounted by the Police on 24 March 2016. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect is also believed to be responsible for another case of loanshark harassment by fire at Blk 767 Woodlands Circle on 12 March 2016.
The suspect will be charged in Court on 26 March 2016 for loanshark harassment. 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 up to 5 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 3 and not more than 6 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 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
25 March 2016 @ 4:40 PM