KUCHING: A viral video showing a man allegedly tampering with a roadside cable with a hammer has led police straight to a 37-year-old suspect with a criminal history.
The local man was taken into custody at Kampung Bintawa Ulu at around 5.40pm last Friday (Sept 11), just hours after a police report was lodged over the incident along Jalan Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Haji Muhammad Salahuddin.
Kuching police chief ACP Alexson Naga Chabu said the district Criminal Investigation Division (CID) made the arrest following investigations into the video, which showed an individual allegedly stealing cable at the location.
“Police later established that the incident took place at around 8.30am the day before (Sept 10).
“Investigations found that the suspect allegedly used a hammer to damage the cable.
“Background checks also revealed that he has five prior criminal records. An initial urine screening also returned positive for drugs,” he said.
The case is being investigated under Section 431A of the Penal Code for damaging, cutting, or destroying telecommunication and electrical signalling infrastructure.
If convicted, the suspect may be sentenced to two years in prison, fined or both.
Anyone with information on the incident, are encouraged to contact investigating officer Sgt Mancha Gubak at 019-5958260, the Kuching police operations room at 082-244444 or the nearest police station.
