MUKAH: A man with prior criminal records has been arrested for attempting to steal a transformer belonging to Sesco Berhad at Jalan Kuala Balingian on Monday (June 9).
Mukah police chief DSP Muhamad Rizal Alias said the incident came to light when a report was lodged by a Sesco technician that a 50kVA transformer had been pulled down in what was believed to be a theft attempt.
When the complainant arrived at the scene, three suspects were seen fleeing into nearby bushes. The estimated losses amounted to RM20,000.
“Acting on intelligence, a team from the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) managed to apprehend one of the suspects, a 26-year-old man, by the roadside at around 2.30pm the same day.
“Several tools believed to have been used in the attempted theft of the transformer and cables, were also seized,” he said.
Background checks found that the suspect had seven prior records for crime and drug-related offenses.
DSP Rizal added that the suspect’s modus operandi involved using a vehicle to pull down the transformer from its mounting on an electrical pole before stealing the copper components inside.
The suspect is being remanded for four days until June 14 to facilitate investigations under Section 379 and Section 431A of the Penal Code.
“Efforts are ongoing to track down the remaining accomplices and the vehicle used in the crime,” he added.
