SINGAPORE - A 65-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly scribbling "XX" on the walls of several blocks of HDB flats in the Teck Whye area.

On Tuesday at 6.42 am, police discovered that walls and pillars at the void deck of several blocks had been defaced with a red marker.

In a statement, police said officers from the Jurong Police Division conducted ground enquiries and retrieved CCTV footage to help identify the suspect, a thin man in black shirt and shorts. They arrested him at about 6.40pm the same day, along Teck Whye Lane.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect may have been responsible for 19 other similar incidents the same day - defacing the walls and pillars of various HDB blocks within the Teck Whye area. Investigation is still ongoing.

Vandalism offenders face a fine of up to $2,000 and imprisonment of up to three years. They could also be given three to eight strokes of the cane.