Cops nab 4 loan sharks who beat up electrician

KEPALA BATAS: An electrician, 34, received four stitches after he was beaten up yesterday by a group of ah long (loan sharks) over alleged unpaid interest of RM1,800.

In the 2pm incident, the victim had stopped his car in Bagan Ajam, Butterworth, after running out of petrol.

On his way back, after buying petrol, he was approached by the four suspects, aged between 18 and 25, who demanded payment.

Seberang Prai Utara district police chief Assistant Commissioner Noorzainy Mohd Noor said the victim, who could not produce the money, was punched repeatedly, resulting in injuries to his head and body.

“The four suspects fled the scene and the victim sought treatment at a clinic.

“He then lodged a report.

“The victim’s wife had lodged a report on July 14 after she was harassed by an ah long over a RM2,000 loan, which had been paid off.”

Noorzainy said a team of officers from the Commercial Crime Unit arrested the four suspects at an area near where they had assaulted the victim.

“Investigation showed three of the suspects are from Penang and one is from Kedah.

“We seized a car, RM759, sticks believed to have been used to hit the victim, five ATM cards, business cards and bank books.”

He urged people who had fallen victim to unlicensed money lending syndicates to lodge a report.