The Police have arrested three men, aged between 19 and 20, for their suspected involvement in a case of loanshark harassment involving fire which was reported at Blk 554 Bedok North Street 3 on 2 May 2016.
Following the report, officers from the Criminal Investigation Department conducted extensive investigative probes and ground enquiries. The officers’ efforts paid off when the identities of the suspects were established. In an operation conducted on 7 May 2016, the three suspects were arrested at the vicinity of Chai Chee Road and Compassvale Drive. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects are also believed to be responsible for two other cases of loanshark harassment by splashing paint and scrawling loanshark-related graffiti.
The three suspects will be charged in Court on 9 May 2016 with 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 for a term not exceeding 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.
Police have zero tolerance against loanshark harassment. Those who deliberately vandalise properties will be arrested swiftly and dealt with severely in accordance with the law. Upon conviction, these perpetrators can expect to be caned and jailed for damaging property and causing alarm to the general community. No effort will be spared to nab them to face the full consequences of their misdeeds regardless of their age.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
08 May 2016 @ 6:40 PM