KUCHING: Swift action by the Kuching CID personnel successfully put the brakes on a samurai and stick wielding duo who committed four robberies in three districts in a span of two days.
Sarawak Criminal Investigation Department (CID) chief, SAC Dato’ Dev Kumar Sree Shunmugam, in a statement yesterday, said prior to the arrests, the suspects, aged 26 and 24, armed with a samurai sword and a stick, had struck at three 24-hour convenience stores in Kota Sentosa, Kota Samarahan and Stutong last Monday and Tuesday.
Three separate police reports were lodged following the incidents and a total of RM2,935 in cash and cigarettes were stolen.
“On 5 September at 12.30pm, the suspects who were travelling in a Proton Saga knocked down a motorcyclist at the Kuching-Samarahan Expressway. The victim, an 18-year-old welder fell down from his motorcycle and sustained injuries on his knees. One of the suspects came out of the car wielding a samurai sword and forced the victim to hand over his mobile phone, identity documents and RM16.
“A task force was immediately formed to arrest the culprits before they could do more harm. Within hours, the identity and possible hideout of the suspects were established by the task force,” he said.
Dev Kumar said a team from CID Kuching led by ASP Ooi Jin Bing conducted a raid at a homestay in Kota Sentosa at 8.30pm on Tuesday and detained three individuals, including a 19-year-old girl.
The female suspect was in the car during the commission of the four robberies, he added.
“Following their arrests, the suspects led the police to recover the Proton Saga that was used during the robberies.
The vehicle was parked in front of a shoplot not far from the homestay. A check on the vehicle revealed that it was reported stolen in Stutong on Tuesday.
“Also recovered from the suspects were a samurai sword, a stick, two helmets, two pairs of gloves, cigarettes, lighters, mobile phones and cash,” he said.
Dev Kumar said all suspects tested positive for methamphetamine and they were remanded for seven days to facilitate investigation under Section 395/397 of the Penal Code for armed robbery.
Meanwhile, State Commissioner of Police, Dato’ Amer Awal sent a congratulatory message to Kuching OCPD, ACP Abang Ahmad Abang Julai and his CID team for bringing an end to the crime spree of the suspects within a short period of time.
