TAWAU: Police arrested a foreign man in his 20s suspected of being a paedophile after he allegedly broke into a home naked and sexually harassed an 11-year-old girl here early Tuesday.
District police chief ACP Jasmin Hussin said the suspect was caught within the Tawau District Police Headquarters compound around 10am following a swift operation.
The incident occurred about 3am when the girl, asleep in the living room, awoke to find a naked man kissing her cheek and forehead.
Startled, the girl screamed, waking her mother, who rushed from her room, prompting the suspect to flee the scene.
Jasmin said the arrest was made possible through public information and police intelligence, adding that the case is being investigated under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, while parents are urged to strengthen home security and monitor their children closely at night.