TAWAU: Police fired warning shots while arresting a suspect linked to an alleged armed robbery and attempted rape in Kampung Titingan here, while a farm equipment store in Lahad Datu was 90% destroyed in a separate fire on Oct 13.
Tawau OCPD ACP Rosdi Mat Jusoh said the arrest took place at about 4.00pm on Oct 9, following an alleged incident earlier that day at about 3.50 am involving the robbery and attempted rape of an 18-year-old girl.
He said three men, armed with machetes, allegedly stole two mobile phones and RM434, with the total losses estimated at RM3,500.
The arrest was carried out by a team comprising personnel from the District Criminal Investigation Division, District Police Station Strike Team and Titingan Police Post.
During the operation, one suspect allegedly became aggressive and attempted to attack police officers with an iron rod. He then jumped into the sea, punched a policeman and attempted to drown him.
Police fired warning shots before managing to subdue and arrest the suspect. Two police personnel were injured in the incident, Rosdi said.
The suspect, a man in his 30s who had no valid identification documents, later tested positive for methamphetamine and amphetamine. An iron rod was also seized.
Police are now tracking down the two other suspects. The case is being investigated under Sections 395, 397 and 354 of the Penal Code. Both victim and suspect are foreigners.
Rosdi clarified that a video circulating on social media showed the warning shots fired during the arrest on Oct 9, and did not depict a shootout or a separate, new incident.
Members of the public with information on the case can contact Inspector Norhafizah Hussin at 012-527 9004. Rosdi also urged the public not to speculate about the incident.
Meanwhile, in Lahad Datu, a farm equipment store at a plantation near Mile 17 along Jalan Lahad Datu–Sandakan was 90% destroyed in a fire on Oct 13.
The Lahad Datu Fire and Rescue Station received an emergency call at 9.57pm and dispatched two fire engines and 10 personnel to the scene, about 28 KM away. Firefighters arrived at 10.21pm.
The fire involved a concrete store measuring 15ft by 30ft. Firefighters deployed a 300ft hose line with two water jets to extinguish the blaze.
The fire was brought under control at 10.44pm, with firefighting operations concluding at 11.59pm. No casualties were reported in the fire. – James Leong
A fireman battling the fire at the equipment store of a plantation in Lahad Datu on Tuesday night.
