Miri police arrest man over donation box theft from Piasau temple

MIRI (March 5): Police have arrested a 50-year-old local man to assist in investigations into the theft of cash from a donation box at a temple in Piasau here recently.

According to a post on the Miri District Police Facebook page, the incident occurred on March 2 at around 9.03pm when the management of the premises saw a man stealing money from the donation box.

The suspect’s actions were captured on closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras installed at the premises.

Following a police report lodged over the incident, a team from the Criminal Investigation Division launched an investigation and subsequently identified the suspect before making the arrest.

Several items believed to be linked to the case were also seized.

The case is being investigated under Section 379 of the Penal Code for theft. The suspect has been remanded for three days and is being held at the Miri Central Police Station lock-up to assist in further investigations.

Miri District Police chief ACP Mohd Farhan Lee Abdullah warned that all criminal acts would be met with legal action.

He added that police take a serious view of criminal activities involving houses or places of worship, as such acts undermine communal harmony and are highly sensitive to the public.

Mohd Farhan also urged members of the public to continue cooperating with police by channelling any crime-related information through the Miri District Police hotline at 085-432533 or by contacting the nearest police station.