SIBU, Aug 7 — Three local men were arrested after allegedly leading police on a chase before being detained in Sungai Merah on Friday, with officers also seizing suspected housebreaking tools found inside their vehicle.
Sibu police chief ACP Abang Zainal Abidin Abang Ahmad said the incident occurred at about 1.30am when a Mobile Patrol Vehicle (MPV) team conducting crime prevention patrols spotted a suspicious Toyota Vios at the Paradom roundabout.
“The MPV personnel instructed the driver to stop for inspection, but the vehicle refused to comply and sped off.
“Assistance was immediately sought from other police teams before the vehicle was successfully intercepted along Jalan Lilin in Sungai Merah after a pursuit,” he said in a statement on Friday.
Abang Zainal said three local men were detained for further investigation, while police also seized the car and several items believed to be commonly used for housebreaking, including a bolt cutter and a metal pry tool.
“The suspects were unable to provide a reasonable explanation for possessing the equipment. Investigations are being carried out to determine whether they were linked to any planned criminal activities,” he said.
He added that the case is being investigated under Section 186 of the Penal Code for obstructing a public servant in the discharge of public functions, Section 37 of the Minor Offences Act 1955, and Section 6(1) of the Corrosive and Explosive Substances and Offensive Weapons Act 1958.
The suspects, aged between 28 and 40, have been remanded for four days until Aug 11 to facilitate investigations.
Police are also continuing efforts to determine whether the suspects are connected to other property crime cases in the district. — The Borneo Post
