MIRI: Police here have arrested four local men, aged between 16 and 30, in connection with a series of thefts involving vehicle batteries and copper wiring in the Batu Niah area.
The arrests were made during a targeted operation led by the Crime Prevention Unit from Batu Niah police station on Mar 25.
Officers carried out a raid on a village in Tanjung Belipat, where they detained the suspects and seized several vehicle batteries and lengths of copper wire believed to be stolen.
Items were recovered from behind a supermarket in Batu Niah, an area that had recently seen a rise in petty but organised theft activity, particularly involving recyclable metals with resale value.
All four suspects are expected to be remanded to assist with the investigation. The case is being pursued under Section 379 of the Penal Code, which covers theft and carries penalties of imprisonment and fines upon conviction.
Police have not ruled out further arrests, indicating that the group may be part of a wider network targeting unattended vehicles and commercial premises.
Authorities have urged residents and business owners to remain vigilant, particularly in monitoring storage areas and parking zones. They are also calling on the public to report any suspicious activity promptly, as part of broader efforts to curb opportunistic crime in semi-urban districts.
Anyone with information relevant to the case is encouraged to come forward and assist police investigations.
