KOTA SAMARAHAN: Two out of three teenage inmates who escaped from Sekolah Tunas Bakti Kuching on Sunday have been arrested early this morning (Monday, August 18).
Kota Samarahan Police Chief, Supt Damataries Lautin, said the duo, aged 15 and 16, were detained at around 2:20 am and are now being held at Kota Samarahan police lock-up pending remand.
“Efforts are ongoing to track down the other escapee, identified as Hazwandy Abdullah, 16, who is believed to be hiding with the help of his brother,” he said.
During interrogations, police found that the trio had planned their escape and fled at around 12:30 am by prying open the hostel’s iron gate before slipping out through the kitchen.
“The detainees said they ran towards PETRONAS Batu 8 petrol station along Jalan Kuching-Serian and sought help from a man, who sent them to Hazwandy’s house.
“Upon arriving at around 3:00 am, Hazwandy’s brother allegedly booked a car via Maxim e-hailing app to Matang to look for a rented room.
“At around 6:00 am, they reached a hotel in Matang but found the premises closed. Hazwandy’s brother then booked another ride and instructed the detainees to proceed to Kuching Sentral while Hazwandy promised to follow later,” he said.
However, after waiting for several hours at Kuching Sentral, Hazwandy never showed up.
The detainees, who are from Sibu and Miri, tried to buy bus tickets to Bintulu but failed as they had no identification documents and insufficient money.
Damataries said they resorted to begging around Kuching Sentral for food until nightfall.
“Both of them were later detained by Sekolah Tunas Bakti staff when attempting to head to a nearby supermarket. They were handed over to police for further actions,” he said.
Police are still tracing Hazwandy’s whereabouts.
