Police arrested two Malay youths aged 15 and 21 years old early this morning for suspected involvement in loansharking activities.

On 26 June 2009 at about 4.35 a.m. , while patrolling the Yishun estate, officers from Ang Mo Kio Police Division noticed the two youths walking towards a block. Their suspicious behaviour caught the attention of the officers, who proceeded to approach them. Upon the officers' approach, the two youths fled . Sensing that something was amiss, the officers called for reinforcements. Police swiftly sealed the block’s exit points and a floor-to-floor search was conducted. One of the youths was subsequently located at the void deck while the other was located at the fifth floor staircase landing of the said block. Both the youths were found in possession of cans of paint, handphones and suspected debtors' records. Fresh loanshark-related writings were also found on the wall of the block. Both suspects were arrested for loanshark harassment. Preliminary investigations suggested that they had also earlier struck at another block in the same estate.

The 21-year-old suspect will be charged in Court on 27 June 2009 for loanshark harassment under the Moneylenders Act 2008 while the 15-year-old suspect will be released on police bail pending further investigation.

First-time offenders found guilty of loanshark harassment may be fined not less than $4,000 and up to $40,000 or jailed for up to 3 years or both. In addition, caning may be imposed on those who cause damage to property or harm to others while committing acts of loanshark harassment.