Man used bicycle lock to secure gate of Tampines unit, removed it after taking pic, gets arrested
A 26-year-old man was arrested for loanshark harassment at a residential unit along Tampines Street 71, after the wall beside the unit was found scribbled with loanshark-related graffiti.
The police said they were alerted to the case on Jan 24, at around 11.25pm.
Through follow-up investigations and with the aid of images from police cameras, officers from Bedok Police Division established the man's identity and arrested him on Jan 25.
"Preliminary investigations revealed that he had also allegedly used a bicycle lock to secure the gate of the residential unit but removed it after taking photo of the scene," police added.
The man is believed to be involved in another case of loanshark harassment.
Two bicycle locks, one marker and one mobile phone were seized as case exhibits.
Photo: Singapore Police Force
The man will be charged in court on Jan 27 under the Moneylenders Act 2008.
For first-time offenders, the offence of loanshark harassment carries a fine between $5,000 and $50,000, with up to five years in jail and up to six strokes of the cane.
The police said they have zero tolerance for loanshark harassment activities. Those who deliberately vandalise properties or cause annoyance and disruption to public safety and security will be dealt with severely in accordance with the law.
Members of the public are advised to stay away from loansharks and not work with or assist them in any way. Call the police at '999' if they suspect or know of anyone who could be involved in loansharking activities.
