The Police have arrested three men and one woman, aged between 17 and 31 for their suspected involvement in two separate cases of loanshark harassment.
In the first case, the Police received four separate reports between August and September 2017, informing that residential units at Woodlands, Choa Chu Kang, Tampines and Boon Keng were locked with bicycle locks. Loanshark graffiti was also found scrawled on the walls. Through extensive ground enquiries and with the aid of images from the Police Cameras, officers from Jurong and Bedok Police Division arrested two men and one woman in the along Rivervale Drive on 13 September 2017. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects are believed to have carried out similar acts of harassment at Woodlands, Choa Chu Kang, Tampines and Boon Keng housing estates. Apparels, mobile phone, two cans of spray paint and a can of paint were seized.
In the second case, on 7 September 2017, the Police received a report, informing that two residential units in Ang Mo Kio had been splashed with paint, while one of the units was locked with a bicycle chain. Loanshark graffiti was also found scrawled on the walls. Through extensive ground enquiries, officers from Ang Mo Kio Police Division, Jurong Police Division, Bedok Police Division and Criminal Investigation Department, the identity of the suspect was established and the 31-year-old man was arrested along Tampines Street 11 on 13 September 2017. Preliminary investigations revealed that the man is believed to have carried out other similar acts of harassment.
The suspects will be charged in court on 15 September 2017. Under the Moneylenders’ Act (2010 Revised Edition), first-time offender found guilty of loanshark harassments shall be fined not less than $5,000/- and not more than $50,000/- with mandatory imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years, and mandatory caning up to 6 strokes.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
14 September 2017 @ 7:29 PM