Bicycle-lock ploy leads to man's arrest in loanshark harassment case

A 32-year-old man was arrested on Tuesday (Nov 3) for his alleged involvement in a case of loanshark harassment in Taman Jurong.

Police said in a news release on Wednesday night that they were alerted to the case at a residential unit along Kang Ching Road at about 4.10pm on Tuesday.

A photograph of the alleged crime scene provided by the police shows the unit's metal gate secured with two bicycle locks.

Officers from Jurong Police Division identified the man through follow-up investigations and with the aid of images from police cameras, arresting him on the same day of his alleged crime.

The bicycle locks used were also seized as case exhibits.

According to the police, preliminary investigations revealed that the man is involved in other similar cases of harassment islandwide.

The 32-year-old will be charged in court on Thursday with the offence of loanshark harassment.

If found guilty of the said offence, the man could be jailed for up to five years, fined up to $50,000, and receive up to six strokes of the cane.

The police said they have zero tolerance for loanshark harassment activities, adding that those who deliberately vandalise properties, cause annoyance, or disrupt public safety, peace and security will be dealt with severely in accordance with the law.

They also advised members of the public to stay away from loansharks and not work with or assist them in any way.

Members of the public can call 999 if they suspect or know of anyone who could be involved in loansharking activities.

一名 32 岁男子于周二（11 月 3 日）被捕，他被指控参与裕廊花园的一起高利贷骚扰案件。

警方周三晚间发布新闻稿称，周二下午 4 点 10 分左右，他们接到报案称康清路一处住宅单元发生案件。

警方提供的一张疑似犯罪现场照片显示，该单元的金属大门用两把自行车锁锁着。

裕廊警署的警员通过后续调查和警方摄像头拍摄的图像确认了该男子的身份，并在其涉嫌犯罪的当天将其逮捕。

使用的自行车锁也被作为案件证物扣押。

据警方称，初步调查显示，该男子还涉嫌在全岛范围内进行其他类似的骚扰案件。

这名32岁的男子将于周四在法庭上被控犯有高利贷骚扰罪。

如果被判犯有上述罪行，该男子可被判处最高五年监禁，罚款最高 5 万美元，并处以最高六下鞭刑。

警方表示，他们对高利贷骚扰活动零容忍，并补充说，那些故意破坏财产、制造滋扰或扰乱公共安全、和平与秩序的人将依法受到严厉惩处。

他们还建议公众远离高利贷者，不要以任何方式与他们合作或协助他们。

公众如怀疑或知晓有人可能参与高利贷活动，可拨打999报警。