Man who set fire to several units arrested in 8 hours

SINGAPORE - A 40-year-old man has been arrested for his suspected involvement in a series of island-wide loanshark harassment cases which included setting fire to units.

On December 7, 2013 at about 12.20 pm, police were alerted to a case of loanshark harassment involving fire in the vicinity of Serangoon North Ave 1.

The identity of the man was established by officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and Ang Mo Kio Police Division, with support from the Police Intelligence Department.

On the same day at about 8.10 pm, the man was arrested at Beo Crescent. Loanshark-related items which included several mobile phones, paint brushes, and a lighter were seized as case exhibits.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect is believed to be responsible for more than ten counts of loanshark harassments, including two cases of aggravated loanshark harassment involving fire at Serangoon and Bedok Reservoir.

He will be charged in Court for loanshark harassment.

Under the Moneylenders Act, first-time offenders found guilty of committing loanshark harassment shall be punished with imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, a fine between $5,000 and $50,000, and shall also be liable to be punished with not less than three strokes of the cane.

natlim@sph.com.sg