KAJANG: A cable thief tried to jump into a lake to avoid being arrested by the police following a 30km chase on Sunday (Feb 19).
Kajang OCPD Asst Comm Mohd Zaid Hassan said the suspect, who was driving a lorry, was spotted by police personnel acting suspiciously near Sungai Chua at 3.30am Sunday.
"When police tried to arrest the suspect, he sped off towards the South Klang Valley Expressway (SKVE).
"Policemen gave chase and once again tried to stop the lorry but were prevented by the suspect who swerved to the left and right of the road.
"The police team continued to follow the suspect until the Ayer Hitam Toll Plaza, but the suspect did not stop and instead rammed the toll booth boom gate and continued on his way towards Banting until he exited near Saujana Putra," he said in a statement Sunday.
ACP Zaid said the 34-year-old suspect again hit the boom gate at the Saujana Putra Toll Plaza and headed towards Jalan Saujana Putra before hitting several vehicles parked on the shoulder of the road.
"The lorry driven by the suspect was finally stopped along Jalan SP 6/2 Bandar Saujana Putra.
"The suspect tried to escape by jumping into a nearby lake but was arrested with the help of the public.
"An inspection found 25 cut cables believed to be stolen and some cable cutting tools in the truck driven by the suspect," he said, adding that a check found that the suspect has a criminal record and a urine test was found to be positive for methamphetamine.
He said the investigation is being conducted under Section 186 of the Penal Code for obstructing the duties of a public servant and Section 29(1) of the Minor Offences Act 1955.
Those with any information related to the incident can contact the nearest police station or the investigating officer Sjn Wan Noorhasmizan Wan Asri at 012-954 8532.
