Trio nabbed for siphoning diesel from Bintulu vehicles at night

BINTULU (March 2): The Criminal Investigation Department has arrested three suspects in connection with a string of diesel theft cases here.

Bintulu police chief Supt Nixon Joshua Ali said the men were arrested during ‘Op Lusuh’ on Feb 25-26 following intelligence and preliminary information gathered by police.

He said the three suspects, aged between 22 and 32, were apprehended at separate locations around Bintulu town.

“Initial investigations revealed that the suspects worked together in carrying out the thefts, which were believed to have taken place at night.

“One of them is said to have provided a vehicle in exchange for cash payment, while the other two allegedly carried out the act of siphoning the diesel,” Nixon said in a statement.

Police also seized two vehicles believed to have been used by the suspects when carrying out the crimes.

Nixon said background checks found that two of the suspects have prior criminal records, including offences under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and housebreaking in Kapit, Sibu, and Song.

All three suspects have been remanded to assist with investigations under Section 379 of the Penal Code, which carries a jail term of up to seven years, or a fine, or both upon conviction.

Nixon said investigations are ongoing to determine whether the men are linked to other unresolved cases in Bintulu.