Man to be charged for possessing weapons, including catapults and airsoft guns
The 45-year-old man was arrested in May 2023 after several residential windows in Bukit Panjang were damaged by what was believed to be projectiles.
Catapults and airsoft pistols that were seized. (Photos: SPF)
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SINGAPORE: A 45-year-old man suspected of damaging property with catapult-launched metal pellets will be charged in court on Friday (Jul 26).
The man was arrested on May 2 last year following police investigations into multiple instances of damaged windows at an HDB block along Jelapang Road in Bukit Panjang.
Several reports were made between February and April 2023. The windows were believed to have been damaged by projectiles fired from a position near the block, said the police in a news release on Thursday.
Officers from Jurong Police Division conducted the arrest along Jelapang Road in May after they established the identity of the man.
They seized an assortment of clay and metal pellets, liquid gel balls, seven catapults, four airsoft pistols, and one replica rifle capable of discharging water gel pellets.
Two samurai swords were also seized, along with modified boxes, believed to have been used for target practice.
"Preliminary investigations revealed that the man had allegedly shot metal pellets using a catapult from his residential unit towards several metal signages along Jelapang Road on multiple occasions," the police said.
The pellets also caused damage to the windows of the nearby residential units, they added.
The man will be charged in court with rash conduct, possession of a gun without licence, possession of offensive weapons and the possession of scheduled weapon.
If found guilty of rash conduct, the man may be jailed for up to six months, fined up to S$2,500 (US$1,860), or both.
For possessing a gun without a licence, the man faces up to three years in jail and a fine of up to S$5,000 for each gun possessed.
For possession of offensive weapons, the man can be jailed for up to two years, fined, or both.
The offence of possessing weapons like a samurai sword carries a maximum jail term of five years and at least six strokes of the cane.
"The Police have zero tolerance for such brazen and reckless acts which could have potentially caused hurt to members of the public," the police said.
"We will not hesitate to take stern action against those who blatantly disregard the law."
