26-7-2024 (SINGAPORE) A 45-year-old Singaporean man is set to appear in court on Friday, 26 July, following a series of alleged property damage incidents involving catapult-launched metal pellets. The suspect, whose identity remains undisclosed, was apprehended on 2 May last year after an extensive police investigation into multiple reports of damaged windows at a Housing Development Board (HDB) block along Jelapang Road in Bukit Panjang.
The Singapore Police Force (SPF) revealed that between February and April 2023, they received numerous complaints about damaged windows in the area. Authorities believed the damage was caused by projectiles fired from a nearby location, prompting a thorough investigation by officers from the Jurong Police Division.
Following careful detective work, the police successfully identified and arrested the suspect along Jelapang Road in May. During the arrest, law enforcement officers uncovered a startling array of items, including an assortment of clay and metal pellets, liquid gel balls, seven catapults, four airsoft pistols, and a replica rifle capable of discharging water gel pellets. In a concerning development, two samurai swords were also seized, along with modified boxes believed to have been used for target practice.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the suspect allegedly fired metal pellets using a catapult from his residential unit, targeting metal signages along Jelapang Road on multiple occasions. The police statement indicated that these actions also resulted in damage to windows of nearby residential units, causing alarm among local residents.
The suspect now faces a raft of serious charges, including rash conduct, possession of a gun without a licence, possession of offensive weapons, and possession of a scheduled weapon. If found guilty, he could face severe penalties:
- Rash conduct carries a potential jail term of up to six months, a fine of up to S$2,500 (US$1,860), or both.
- Possessing a gun without a licence may result in up to three years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to S$5,000 for each gun possessed.
- The charge of possessing offensive weapons could lead to a jail term of up to two years, a fine, or both.
- Possession of weapons such as a samurai sword carries a maximum jail term of five years and at least six strokes of the cane.
The SPF has taken a firm stance on the matter, stating, “The Police have zero tolerance for such brazen and reckless acts which could have potentially caused hurt to members of the public. We will not hesitate to take stern action against those who blatantly disregard the law.”
