JOHOR BARU: A retiree's report lodged in Taman Mount Austin here led to the arrest of six suspects linked to loan shark activities in various locations, including the Klang Valley.
Johor police chief Comm Datuk Ab Rahaman Arsad said the group is believed to be involved in 25 cases nationwide, 13 of them in Johor.
He said the 52-year-old retiree lodged a report claiming that a house he owned and rented out had been splashed with red paint by unknown individuals.
"The retiree suspected that his tenant had taken a loan from unlicensed moneylenders in a neighbouring country, which led to his property being splashed with red paint," he said in a statement on Wednesday (April 29).
Acting on intelligence, a team from the Johor Baru South Commercial Crime Investigation Department, with assistance from the Kajang district police, tracked down a male suspect driving in Bangi, Selangor, at about 5.30pm on April 9.
Comm Rahaman said the suspect initially rammed his car into a police vehicle in an attempt to evade arrest, but was later apprehended at about 11.30pm in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, following a chase.
"The pursuit ended with the arrest of six individuals, four men and two women aged 21 to 42.
"All the suspects have criminal records related to narcotics, and initial urine screenings came back positive for drugs," he said.
Police also seized a pistol with two live rounds, six sheets of paper containing debt demands, and a car.
Comm Rahaman said the suspects admitted being paid RM600 to splash paint and RM1,000 to throw Molotov cocktails.
Investigations revealed their involvement in cases across Johor, Selangor, Melaka, Perak and Pahang, he added.
He said police are working with authorities in a neighbouring country to track down other suspects believed to be ringleaders of the group, while three investigation papers have already received instructions to prosecute suspects.
He also advised the public to avoid unlicensed online moneylenders, warning that such activities could expose them to threats, vandalism and violence.
