Two men arrested over vehicle theft in Kuching

KUCHING (Jan 2): Police have arrested two local men aged between 51 and 58 to assist in investigations into the theft of a vehicle reported missing in the Jalan Datuk Wee Kheng Chiang area here.

Kuching District Police Chief ACP Alexson Naga Chabu said his department received a report on the missing vehicle from a 48-year-old local man on Dec 28.

“Initial investigations found that the incident is believed to have been committed by two unknown men,” he said in a statement.

Acting on gathered intelligence, a team from the Kuching District Criminal Investigation Division (CID) arrested both suspects in two separate operations on Dec 30, with one taking place in the Taman Hui Sing area here and the other in Kota Samarahan.

“Further investigations revealed that both suspects were involved in the case, and checks on their past records also found that they have previous criminal records, including cases related to vehicle theft,” he said.

Police also seized several items believed to be linked to the case to assist with further investigations.

Meanwhile, urine screening tests conducted on both suspects found that one of them tested positive for drugs.

The case is being investigated under Section 379A of the Penal Code, which provides for imprisonment of not less than one year and not more than seven years, and may also include a fine upon conviction.

In this regard, the public is advised to enhance the security of their vehicles and to immediately report any suspicious activities to the police.

Members of the public who have information related to the incident are urged to come forward to assist investigations by contacting the nearest police station, the Kuching District Police Headquarters Control Centre at 082-244444, or directly contacting the investigating officer, Sgt Mohammad Azril Morshidi, at 019-8183841.