Teens in vandalism case face more charges

The five teens accused of vandalising the rooftop of an HDB block in Toa Payoh 10 days ago had apparently been up there before, a court heard yesterday.

Between end-April and early this month, Reagan Tan Chang Zhi, Chay Nam Shen, Boaz Koh Wen Jie, David William Graaskov and Goh Rong Liang had all trespassed on the roof that they are now charged with spray painting on May 7.

Fresh charges tendered against the five 17-year-olds also show that they stole four spray cans from a lorry in a carpark in front of Block 54, Lorong 5, late on May 6 before proceeding to the rooftop of Block 85A, Lorong 4, to carry out their graffiti-spraying at about 12.30am the next morning.

Four of them - Goh, Tan, Chay and Koh - are alleged to have committed criminal trespass to gain entry to the roof, while Graaskov is charged with conspiring with them to commit the vandalism.

Tan and Chay are students at the Institute of Technical Education, but it is not known what occupations the other three hold.

All five are also accused of trespassing on secured premises at Marina Bay Suites on Marina Boulevard on March 29.

Three of them - Tan, Chay and Koh - had allegedly gone there earlier in February and used a fire extinguisher at the 65th-storey rooftop of the upscale condominium, causing $70 damage to property.

All except Goh are also alleged to have trespassed at a worksite in Jalan Rajah, off Balestier Road, by climbing over the metal fence, some time between last October and December.

Koh, who faces nine additional charges, is said to have committed another act of vandalism on March 28 by using spray paint to deface the walls of the rooftop of Block 60, Lorong 4 Toa Payoh.

One of the five fresh charges against Graaskov accuses him of removing a reflective vest worth $5 from the rooftop of Block 122 in the same estate.

Tan and Chay each have eight additional charges, and Goh, four.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Tang Shangjun told District Judge Eddy Tham that there may be additional charges tendered at a later date.

"We are still reviewing the matter on this. Investigations are not entirely complete yet," he said.

In particular, DPP Tang said police are conducting forensic investigation on digital devices seized.

Goh is represented by Mr Aqbal Singh; Chay by Mr Tan Hee Joek; while Koh and Graaskov are represented by Mr Ravinderpal Singh and Mr Choo Zheng Xi respectively.

Anxious family members were in court to hear the charges being read yesterday.

Each of the accused is out on $12,000 bail on the condition that they remain indoors between 10pm and 6am. The five will be back in court on June 27.

The maximum penalty for vandalism is a $2,000 fine or three years' jail plus three to eight strokes of the cane.

This article was published on May 17 in The Straits Times.

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