Debtor-turned-loanshark harasser arrested after terrorising 10 housing estates
PUBLISHED ONApril 02, 2015 1:20 PM
SINGAPORE - A 30-year-old man has been arrested for his suspected involvement in a series of loansharking harassment cases.
The man was arrested on Thursday at about 6pm by officers from the Clementi Police Division, a police statement said. A stack of papers, one tin of paint, one plastic bottle containing paint, three marker pens, and a bottle of thinner were seized from him during the arrrest.
The suspect is believed to be a debtor-turned-harasser who assisted a loanshark syndicate to carry out harassment acts by splashing paint on the main doors of debtors' residences, and scribbling loanshark related graffiti on the walls at 10 housing estates. They include Jurong East, Jurong West, Woodlands, Marsiling, Bukit Panjang, Bukit Batok, Sengkang, Ang Mo Kio, Hougang and Bedok.
The suspect will be charged in Court on April 4. Under the Moneylenders Act (Revised Edition 2010), first-time offenders found guilty of loanshark harassment shall be punished with imprisonment for a term of up to five 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 three and not more than six strokes.
grongloh@sph.com.sg