Kota Kinabalu: City police ended the crime spree of a 20-year-old who confessed to having spent the money he obtained on syabu and prostitutes.
City Police Chief ACP Mohd Zaidi Abdullah said it took the forensics some time to identify the local suspect despite many CCTV recordings of him committing the acts.
However, he said, a perfect fingerprint found at a ransacked shop in Likas on New Year’s Eve led to the suspect’s arrest at Taman Keramat along Jalan Tuaran on Saturday (Jan 6) afternoon.
“The unemployed man is wanted for 31 burglaries in Luyang, Likas, Kepayan, Inanam, Penampang and Tuaran.
SPONSORED CONTENT Sabah International Convention Centre’s Big Sabah Sale a big hit Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah International Convention Centre’s (SICC) Big Sabah Sale which concluded on Sunday saw a good response with about 20,000 visitors during the three-day extravaganza. . Read more “Total losses from three houses, 26 shops and an office amount to RM119,965. The suspect’s crime streak began in 2023 and December was his busiest month.
“He holds 11 previous records for theft, drugs, break-ins and disposing of stolen items,” Mohd Zaidi told a press conference, Monday.
Among items seized were a generator, a grinder, a drill set, two handphones, four tables, three backpacks, credit cards and other break-in tools.
Despite the suspect claiming to be a lone ranger, police are looking at the possibility of accomplices.
This was after police fished out a 200kg safe from a pond near Jalan Maktab Gaya recently following his arrest.
“It seems illogical that he could carry something so heavy alone. His modus operandi was to use a crowbar and grinder and a rented Perodua Bezza as getaway vehicle.
“Urine tests returned positive for syabu. The suspect said he would trade the stolen goods for drugs and whatever cash obtained would be used on prostitutes and his friends’ enjoyment,” Mohd Zaidi said.
The man will be remanded until next Sunday and the case is being investigated under Section 457 and 380 of the Penal Code.
In a separate case, two foreign men believed to be connected to seven robbery cases in the city were arrested at their rental house in Kampung Air at 11.20pm on Sunday.
Mohd Zaidi said the duo, 32 and 45, had targeted locals and tourists within a kilometre radius of their house.
“A 48-year-old businessman who lost his handphone, RM400 and documents to the duo in a snatch theft in Asia City lodged a police report on Saturday (Dec 9, 2023).
“The suspects said the handphone was sold off to a pedestrian in Kampung Air. Police are tracking,” he said.
Police believe the duo are also related to a case in Jalan Gaya involving a Chinese tourist, an elderly jogger at Jesselton Residences and a lorry driver near Hotel Horizon, all threatened with knives.
“Sometimes they would act in a larger group. However, none of these victims was hurt. We are tracing their accomplices.
“The duo who have been living in Sabah for four years have a criminal drug history. Both tested positive for syabu and said they sold off the stolen goods to fuel their addiction,” Mohd Zaidi said.
He said a remand application is in the process with both to be charged under Section 392 of the Penal Code.
Meanwhile, Mohd Zaidi said Kota Kinabalu police will be patrolling the city on foot in a round-the-clock walkabout which will double in manpower - involving 150 officers and personnel - on the weekends.
“The programme is meant to increase police presence and subsequently deter crime during the tourism revival. It covers hotspots in the city from Imago Shopping Mall all the way to Suria Sabah.
“We want locals and tourists to feel a sense of safety. The approach was introduced by Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun two months ago after the city saw a drastic decrease in crimes, especially car window smash-and-grabs.”
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