Police have arrested a 38-year-old man this afternoon at Hougang Avenue 8 who is believed to have assisted loansharks in carrying out acts of harassment.

On 22 March 2010 at about 12.15 pm, officers from Ang Mo Kio Police Division were conducting anti-crime rounds in the vicinity of Hougang Avenue 8 when they spotted a man behaving suspiciously. When the officers approached him to conduct a check, he fled but was quickly detained by the officers after a short chase. He was found to be in possession of loanshark-related paraphernalia such as crayons, a can of yellow paint, ATM transaction receipts and a list of suspected debtors’ addresses. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect is a debtor turned runner who had assisted loansharks to carry out acts of harassment at debtors’ units by splashing paint and scrawling graffiti on walls.

The suspect will be charged in Court on 24 March 2010 for loanshark harassment. Under the Moneylenders Act 2008, first time offenders found guilty of loanshark harassment shall face imprisonment term of up to 5 years and shall also be liable to a fine between $5,000 and up to $50,000. In addition, the offender shall also be liable to caning of not more than 6 strokes.

Commander of Ang Mo Kio Police Division, Deputy Assistant Commissioner of Police Hsu Sin Yun commended his officers for their vigilance which resulted in the successful arrest of the suspect.