KUCHING: An unemployed man was sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment by the Magistrate’s Court here today (Jan 23) after pleading guilty to stealing and disposing off stolen SUV tyre rims in multiple incidents around the city.
Magistrate Ling Hui Chuan imposed the sentence on Harry Bisi, 29, of Batu Kawa, who admitted to 15 charges involving the theft and disposal of 15 pairs of tyre rims.
Fourteen of the charges were framed under Section 414 of the Penal Code for dishonestly disposing of stolen property, involving 14 pairs of SUV rims – Perodua Ativa and Toyota Corolla Cross – belonging to 14 victims aged between 21 and 63.
The court heard that the offences were committed between August 27, 2025, and January 12 this year, when the accused sold the stolen rims to a recycling company along Jalan Chawan.
Section 414 carries a penalty of up to seven years’ imprisonment, or a fine, or both.
Harry also pleaded guilty to one charge under Section 379A(1) of the Penal Code for stealing a pair of Perodua Ativa tyre rims belonging to a 40-year-old man at a residential area along Jalan Durian Burung 2 at about 1.45 am on January 12.
The offence provides for a mandatory jail term of between one and seven years and may also attract a fine upon conviction.
According to the facts of the case, the accused targeted original SUV tyre rims, particularly those of Perodua Ativa vehicles, by operating in luxury apartment complexes and quiet public areas during the early hours of the morning.
He would sell the stolen rims to a recycling company, earning between RM150 and RM300 for each pair.
Police reports were lodged by all victims, leading to the arrest of the accused on January 12.
Several items were seized during the arrest, including a Proton Wira car, a mobile phone, a car jack, a tyre wrench, three rims, sales receipts and 11 tyres.
Investigations further revealed that the accused admitted to stealing 14 pairs of Perodua Ativa rims and one pair of Toyota Corolla Cross rims.
He also has six previous records related to drug abuse involving syabu, as well as six other criminal records.
The prosecution was conducted by Deputy Public Prosecutor, Muhammad Aidil Akmal Sharidan, while the accused was not represented by counsel.
