By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, April 24: A 40-year-old foreign man was apprehended by members of the public after a failed attempt to steal a motorcycle near a supermarket in Tabuan Jaya on Wednesday (April 23).
The incident that was captured in a 13-second video has since gone viral on social media.
Kuching District Police chief ACP Alexson Naga Chabu confirmed the arrest today, revealing that the suspect was caught red-handed attempting to tamper with a motorcycle’s ignition system using a prying tool. The act, however, was unsuccessful.
“The suspect fled the scene on foot towards a nearby supermarket, where he was quickly identified by the motorcycle’s owner and subsequently detained by members of the public. He was then handed over to police for further action,” he said in a statement.
Following the arrest, police investigations led them to a hotel on Jalan Setia Raja, where closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage corroborated the suspect’s involvement in the attempted theft.
“Initial questioning revealed that the suspect confessed to the crime.
“Further checks revealed that the suspect did not possess any valid travel documents to enter or remain in Malaysia. However, preliminary drug screening returned a negative result,” Alexson added.
The case is being investigated under Section 379/511 of the Penal Code for attempted theft, which carries a jail sentence of up to three and a half years, a fine, or both.
The suspect is also being investigated under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for illegal entry, which carries penalties of up to RM10,000 in fines, a jail term of up to five years, or both, along with up to six strokes of the cane.
Alexson urged the public to continue cooperating with the police by sharing any information related to the incident or other suspicious activities in the area.
Those with information can contact Investigating Officer Sergeant Sudianta Deya Johanis at 019-8492500 or reach the Kuching District Police Control Centre at 082-244444. — DayakDaily
