By DayakDaily Team
ASAJAYA, Aug 20: An attempt by two men to steal money from a donation box at a Chinese temple in Kampung Jemukan Ulu was foiled when villagers managed to apprehend one suspect while his accomplice escaped into nearby bushes.
In a TVS news report, Kota Samarahan District Police chief Superintendent Damataries Lautin said the incident, which occurred on Monday (Aug 18) evening, was recorded by the temple’s closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras.
“The footage showed one suspect pretending to pray while the other tried to extract money from the donation box using a plastic stick coated with glue.
“Their actions were detected by the CCTV operator, who immediately alerted the temple’s Kapitan and chairman,” he said in a statement today.
Alert villagers quickly blocked the exit routes, enabling police who arrived shortly after to arrest one of the suspects.
“The arrested man was found to be in a dazed condition, believed to be under the influence of drugs. A Proton Saga car and the tools used in the theft attempt were also seized,” Damataries said.
Checks revealed the suspect has a prior criminal record involving drug-related and other offences.
The case is being investigated under Section 380 of the Penal Code. Efforts are ongoing to track down the second suspect, who remains at large.
Police have urged anyone with information on the incident to come forward to assist in the investigation. — DayakDaily
