By DayakDaily Team
SARATOK, June 10: A burglary suspect who allegedly broke into an abandoned house in Kampung Melayu Roban and stole antiques worth about RM1,200 ended up selling the items to a scrap dealer for just RM25 after failing to find buyers through WhatsApp.
The money was later used to purchase drugs for personal consumption, according to investigations by police.
Saratok District Police chief DSP Mathew Manggie said two local men, aged 32 and 37, were arrested on June 8 in separate operations in Roban in connection with the housebreaking and theft case.
The case came to light after a 31-year-old farmer visited his mother’s unnumbered house in Kampung Melayu Roban on May 24 and discovered signs of forced entry.
The house had been left vacant since January this year.
“Upon inspection, the complainant found several items missing, including brass decorative ornaments and a grass-cutting machine, resulting in losses estimated at RM1,200,” Mathew said in a statement.
Police investigations later revealed that the first suspect had allegedly targeted the house on April 30 after noticing it had been abandoned for a long period.
According to his confession, the suspect broke the padlock on the front door using a piece of wood before entering the house and rummaging through the premises.
He allegedly took several antique items from the living room and later brought them to the second suspect’s house, where photographs of the stolen goods were taken using the latter’s mobile phone.
The images were then circulated to friends through WhatsApp in an attempt to sell the items.
However, after failing to attract any interested buyers, the suspect sold the antiques to a scrap dealer in Roban for only RM25.
Police said the suspect admitted using the proceeds to buy drugs.
Both suspects tested positive for amphetamine and methamphetamine during urine screening.
The first suspect has a previous conviction under Section 447 of the Penal Code, while the second suspect has several prior records, including drug-related offences under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
The case is being investigated under Section 457 of the Penal Code for housebreaking. — DayakDaily
