By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, July 23: A man allegedly carried out a calculated theft at a roadside work site in Saratok by dismantling a heavy machinery excavator’s batteries and siphoning about 100 litres of diesel before hiding the stolen items in bushes while searching for potential buyers.
The 36-year-old local man was arrested by Saratok District Police Headquarters (IPD) Crime Investigation Department officers led by Insp Henry Muji at Lubuk Renit Awik, Saratok.
Saratok District Police Chief DSP Mathew Manggie said the suspect was arrested following a report lodged after two excavator batteries and diesel went missing from a Hitachi Hydraulic Excavator EX70LCK parked along Jalan Temudok Awik, Saratok.
The machinery was being used by the company for drainage repair works in the area.
Initial investigations found that the stolen items comprised two excavator batteries, three 20-litre containers filled with diesel, and additional diesel taken from the machine’s fuel tank, with total losses estimated at RM1,000.
Police recovered one Super Charge battery, two green containers containing suspected diesel, and a metal funnel with a long hose believed to have been used during the theft.
DSP Mathew said investigations revealed that the suspect allegedly used a spanner brought from his home to remove the excavator batteries before siphoning diesel from the fuel tank using the funnel and hose.
The suspect allegedly placed the diesel into containers taken from the rear of the excavator before transporting the stolen items using a motorcycle belonging to an individual known as Yus.
The items were then allegedly hidden in bushes near a longhouse in Lubuk Renit Awik while the suspect and his accomplice, who is still at large, looked for buyers.
The suspect, who tested positive for amphetamine and methamphetamine, has three previous convictions under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
The case is being investigated under Section 379A(1) of the Penal Code for theft of motor vehicle parts. — DayakDaily
