TAWAU: A foreigner was arrested on July 21 for allegedly stealing women’s undergarments from a clothesline in Kampung Haji Matahir here.
The case came to light when a 47-year-old man discovered that several pieces of his wife’s underwear had gone missing while he was checking around their property earlier this month. He immediately lodged a report at the Bombalai police station, triggering a full investigation.
Acting OCPD Superintendent Wilynton Enchana Watt, said the suspect—believed to be in his 20s—was tracked down and apprehended by the police at around 10.30 pm on Tuesday in front of a house in the same village.
During initial questioning, the suspect led police to the recovery of several pieces of women’s lingerie, a green shirt, and a black songkok—believed to have worn during the act. The items were found stashed both inside his home and concealed in nearby bushes.
The suspect, who holds no valid identity documents, is now in police custody and is being investigated under Section 379 of the Penal Code for theft.
In response to the incident, Superintendent Wilynton urged residents to step up security measures around their homes and remain alert to suspicious activities. “Community cooperation is vital in curbing such crimes,” he said, calling on the public to immediately report any unusual behaviour to the police.
The case serves as a reminder that even seemingly petty thefts can have significant consequences—and that vigilance at the neighbourhood level remains one of the most effective tools against crime. – James Leong
The lingerie theft suspect (left), being escorted by a Tawau policeman during his arrest on Tuesday.
