By Wendy John
SIBU, Dec 11: A 32-year-old man admitted to Sarikei Hospital with third degree burns on his face has been placed under house arrest for his alleged involvement in attempting to steal electrical cable.
It is believed that his attempt with an accomplice to steal the electrical cable caused an explosion at the power sub-station, resulting in the injuries to his face and his body.
Sarikei District police chief DSP Awang Arfian Awang Bujang said today (Dec 11) that the police had placed the man under arrest while he was being treated at the hospital.
The other person, a 19-year-old believed to be the suspect’s accomplice, has been detained. The younger suspect, however, escaped unhurt from the alleged theft.
Awang Bujang said the case came to light at 9.30pm on Tuesday (Dec 10) when a member of the public called up the utility company to inform them of a blackout in Jalan Merudu area near the hospital.
“Following that at about 10pm, technicians from the company went to the power sub-station in Jalan Merudu to check. They found several items which included copper plate and copper wire damage which were caused by explosion,” he said.
He added that while a technician was lodging a police report at 12.20am on Wednesday (Dec 11), the police received a call from the hospital of a man suffering from severe burns to his face.
The police subsequently went to the hospital and ordered that the suspect be detained for further investigation. —DayakDaily.
