Update: S'pore launches manhunt for alleged British vandal

[Char_Azn]

SINGAPORE - Singapore on Tuesday launched a global manhunt for a Briton suspected of involvement in a train vandalism case that raised doubts about the security of key installations in the city state.

A warrant of arrest was issued against Lloyd Dane Alexander, a British citizen accused of being the accomplice of a Swiss business consultant, 32-year-old Oliver Fricker, who is now on bail in Singapore.

Both men could face jail, fines and caning for allegedly breaking into a protected subway depot and spray-painting elaborate graffiti on a parked train in May.

The prank is regarded as a serious breach of security in Singapore, which says its transport system is a potential terrorist target.

"Police have also alerted all the Interpol member countries to look out for the said accomplice and to render us information should he be found in their jurisdiction," a police spokesman said Tuesday after the warrant was issued.

The International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) is based in Lyon, France and facilitates cross-border police cooperation, including hunting down fugitives from justice.

Sources familiar with international manhunts said the Singapore police will decide their next move only after receiving information about Alexander's whereabouts.

Any extradition proceedings will have to be launched at the diplomatic level, they said.

The Swiss suspect, Fricker, posted 100,000 Singapore dollars (71,000 US) bail on Monday but his passport has been impounded to prevent him leaving Singapore during his trial.

Police officials said Alexander left Singapore before the incident was reported to the authorities.

They declined to comment on local media reports that the British national may have flown to Hong Kong.

Singapore's Straits Times has suggested that Fricker and Alexander could be part of a group of underground graffiti artists targeting metro trains around the world.

Vandalism is punishable by up to three years' jail or a maximum fine of 2,000 Singapore dollars, plus three to eight strokes of a wooden cane - a practice dating back to British colonial rule in Singapore.

In addition to the vandalism charge, Fricker faces two years' jail or a fine of 1,000 dollars, or both, for trespassing into a protected area. The train has been scrubbed clean but the clip taken by a commuter can still be viewed.

Singapore's vandalism laws became global news in 1994 when an American teenager, Michael Fay, was caned for damaging cars and public property despite appeals for clemency from the US government.

I wonder if its worth spending so much tax payer's money to bring a vandal back to SG

 

[po2wq]

I wonder if its worth spending so much tax payer's money to bring a vandal back to SG

"The prank is regarded as a serious breach of security in Singapore ..." ... meant ... "The prank blatantly exposed serious absence of security in Singapore ..."

laidis ... dunno where 2 put face, man! ... :o

 

[gone4good]

this is a global joke. Now they played up the important of the station as a key installation and at the same time saying that it is a potential target for terrorism. Then what the F they did about its security previously. Did they do their homework in beefing up security or wait until something happen? It is like i have a billion dollar at home and i use a cheapskate number lock to secure my house. Are they too busy maximising their profit that they forget about other aspects of their operations?

 

[Char_Azn]

I dun personally consider a train depot a key installation since EVERY FREAKING TOM DICK AND HARRY PLUS their MUM AND GRANDMA can get onto a train any time they freaking want to by simply going to the nearest MRT station. Then again, it's just me

 

[scroobal]

There is no cost involved. There are no extradition expressway for such cases. That statement is meant to impress Singaporeans like you who think that it requires so much hardwork and cost plus strong resolve of the govt. It just an entry on Interpol and a letter to UK. It cost more to send someone to the local hospital for a medical checkup for a simple assault case.

Its the same with Minerva Injunction which is worldewide ordering banks and countries to freeze funds. Nobody does it.

I wonder if its worth spending so much tax payer's money to bring a vandal back to SG

 

[Char_Azn]

Doesn't someone need to pay for the plane ticket and security escort back to SG?

 

[scroobal]

He is not going to be extradited over a simple case like that. Just watch. That statement was to please you. Name me one case of this nature where extradition is granted. Its only for serious cases like murder. Its a feel good comment to impress the gullible locals. Most people return vountarilly because of family.

Doesn't someone need to pay for the plane ticket and security escort back to SG?

 

[Ramseth]

He is not going to be extradited over a simple case like that. Just watch. That statement was to please you. Name me one case of this nature where extradition is granted. Its only for serious cases like murder. Its a feel good comment to impress the gullible locals. Most people return vountarilly because of family.

I don't think that the Brit will be extradited, but I do think that the Swiss will be flogged 3 or 4 strokes.

 

[streetsmart73]

I wonder if its worth spending so much tax payer's money to bring a vandal back to SG

hi there

1. aiyoh! bro.
2. must spend monies to show working men!
3. activate the global networking to bring in one brit.
4. now, what are sheep going to do with mas selamat?

 

[Char_Azn]

He is not going to be extradited over a simple case like that. Just watch. That statement was to please you. Name me one case of this nature where extradition is granted. Its only for serious cases like murder. Its a feel good comment to impress the gullible locals. Most people return vountarilly because of family.

Well they are doing a pretty lousy job of impressing me if that's the case. I see this as essentially wasting time and money to catch an idiot. Even if there isn't real cost in terms of having to send that guy back we'll still end up wasting someone's time working on this case liasing with the foreign counterpart to get that guy charged etc.

 

[kingrant]

As usual, the thumping of the chest and the hot air. Suddenly a lousy depot fenced with simple wires become a high security area. If this hadnt happened, I tell you everybody will still be asleep on the job until real bombs go off!

There is no cost involved. There are no extradition expressway for such cases. That statement is meant to impress Singaporeans like you who think that it requires so much hardwork and cost plus strong resolve of the govt. It just an entry on Interpol and a letter to UK. It cost more to send someone to the local hospital for a medical checkup for a simple assault case.

Its the same with Minerva Injunction which is worldewide ordering banks and countries to freeze funds. Nobody does it.

 

[Ramseth]

SINGAPORE - Singapore on Tuesday launched a global manhunt for a Briton suspected of involvement in a train vandalism case that raised doubts about the security of key installations in the city state.

A warrant of arrest was issued against Lloyd Dane Alexander, a British citizen accused of being the accomplice of a Swiss business consultant, 32-year-old Oliver Fricker, who is now on bail in Singapore.

.
.
.

"Police have also alerted all the Interpol member countries to look out for the said accomplice and to render us information should he be found in their jurisdiction," a police spokesman said Tuesday after the warrant was issued.

Incredible journalism. Issuing an arrest warrant and notifying INTERPOL is equated to launching a global manhunt.

 

[Sideswipe]

The British is now a international criminal for vandalism...

 

[jw5]

A manhunt for a spray painter.
Hahahahahaha!

 

[Watchman]

Quick see if he inside ? Maybe he even got into top 3 contestant .

And the poodles might even miss him out .

 

[scroobal]

Agree on the first part but after the cryptic statement from the Swiss embassy, I have my doubts.

I don't think that the Brit will be extradited, but I do think that the Swiss will be flogged 3 or 4 strokes.

 

[scroobal]

He has been listed as wanted. Just an entry in 2 database. More effort to buy a packet of chicken rice. But good enough for you to start a thread.

Well they are doing a pretty lousy job of impressing me if that's the case. I see this as essentially wasting time and money to catch an idiot. Even if there isn't real cost in terms of having to send that guy back we'll still end up wasting someone's time working on this case liasing with the foreign counterpart to get that guy charged etc.