TAWAU: Two foreigners in their 20s and 30s were arrested by police on suspicion of stealing belian wood (ironwood) from a plantation in Inderasabah on Jan 19.
OCPD ACP Jasmin Hussin said both suspects were detained by policemen from the Bandar Sri Indah Police Station on crime prevention patrol at 10.00 am for acting suspiciously.
“Initial inspections revealed they failed to produce any valid identification documents and are suspected of being involved in the theft of belian wood from the plantation,” he added.
Police seized two vehicles believed to have been used in the crime. The police were responding to a report from plantation workers who on the trespassing and theft of wood belonging to the company, Jasmin said.
“The case is being probed under Section 447 of the Penal Code (criminal trespass) and Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act,” he said.
In a separate operation, a third foreigner in his 40s was arrested by a team from the district Criminal Investigation Division together with personnel from Bombalai Police Station.
The arrest was made by the roadside in Kampung Melati Burut around 6.35 pm on Jan 19, following a report of a house break-in that occurred last Sunday.
The victim found the back kitchen door damaged and 40 pieces of stolen belian wood planks, worth RM2,000.
“Police seized nine logs and a machete at the location. The case is being investigated under Section 457 of the Penal Code (house-breaking by night), Section 6(1) of the Corrosive and Explosive Substances Act 1958, and Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63,” Jasmin said.
Jasmin emphasised that the police will not compromise on any property crimes or violations of immigration laws in Tawau district.
All three suspects and the seized items have been taken to the Tawau District Police Headquarters for further investigations. – James Leong
The two suspects arrested by Tawau Police in connection
with the theft of belian wood from a plantation in Inderasabah.
