KUCHING: Police arrested 10 local suspects, including a woman, aged between 18 and 50, in connection with housebreaking and theft cases across Tabuan Jaya and Gita throughout February.
Among those detained were two men suspected of involvement in a housebreaking case in Tabuan Jaya, which resulted in an estimated loss of RM20,000.
Kuching district police chief ACP Mohd Farhan Lee Abdullah said a blue Honda Wave Alpha motorcycle was seized as part of the investigation.
Further checks revealed that both suspects had prior drug-related offences.
“Preliminary urine tests conducted on one of the suspects returned positive for drugs.
“Both individuals are believed to be linked to two other housebreaking incidents and two theft cases currently under investigation,” he added.
The case is being investigated under Section 457 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 14 years, with additional penalties of fines or whipping for repeat offences.
It is also being probed under Section 379 of the Penal Code, which prescribes up to seven years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both, with enhanced punishment for repeat offenders.
In a separate operation, the police arrested two men and a woman for obstructing public officers and possessing dangerous weapons at Jalan Laman Cenderawasih.
A Proton Saga, suspected to be using a false registration plate, along with various housebreaking tools, was confiscated.
All three individuals had prior criminal records, and preliminary drug tests confirmed they tested positive.
One of the male suspects was also linked to a separate theft case in Sungai Maong.
This case is being investigated under Section 186 of the Penal Code, which carries a penalty of up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to RM10,000, or both, and under Section 6(1) of the Corrosive and Explosive Substances and Offensive Weapons Act 1958, which prescribes a prison sentence of up to two years and whipping.
Further enforcement efforts in Gita led to the arrest of four men for possessing dangerous weapons.
Police seized a Perodua Myvi, a homemade air rifle, and various tools believed to be used for cable theft.
All suspects had past criminal and drug-related records, with urine tests confirming drug use. One of the suspects is also believed to have been involved in a cable theft case in Gita.
The case is being investigated under Section 8 of the Firearms Act 1960, which provides for a prison term of up to seven years, a fine of up to RM10,000, or both.
Mohd Farhan has urged the public to come forward with any information related to criminal activities.
Those with information are encouraged to contact the Kuching police control centre at 082-244444 or visit the nearest police station.
