SARATOK: An alleged plan to profit from stolen excavator batteries and diesel was cut short after police arrested a 36-year-old man and recovered the loot before it could be sold.
The local labourer was arrested by the district Criminal Investigation Division (CID) today (July 23), following investigations into the theft reported by a construction company carrying out drainage improvement works in the area.
The case came to light on Tuesday (July 21) after a supervisor from the company was informed that two batteries and about 100 litres of diesel had disappeared from a Hitachi EX70LCK hydraulic excavator parked along Jalan Temudok Awik.
The stolen batteries, valued at about RM250 each, together with the missing diesel, resulted in estimated losses of RM1,000.
Saratok police chief DSP Mathew Manggie said investigations led officers to the suspect at Lubuk Renit Awik, who allegedly admitted that he had committed the theft with another man who remains at large.
“It is understood that the pair gained access to the excavator by prying open a glued window panel with a sharp object before unlocking the door from the inside.
“The suspect allegedly used a spanner to remove the batteries before he and his accomplice siphoned diesel from the excavator’s fuel tank using a metal funnel and hose into two green containers found at the rear of the machine.
“After the theft, they allegedly transported the stolen batteries and diesel on a motorcycle and concealed them in bushes near a longhouse at Lubuk Renit Awik while looking for a buyer,” he said.
Acting on the suspect’s information, police recovered one Super Charge battery, two green containers filled with suspected diesel and a metal funnel with a long hose believed to have been used during the theft.
Preliminary urine screening later found the suspect positive for amphetamine and methamphetamine.
Background checks found that he has three prior convictions under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
Mathew said the case is being investigated under Section 379A(1) of the Penal Code, while efforts are ongoing to locate the suspect’s alleged accomplice.
