BALIK PULAU: Police have arrested five suspects for alleged telecommunication cable theft in Gelugor.
Balik Pulau OCPD Asst Comm Sazalee Adam said police received a public tip-off about the theft behind a petrol station in Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah on Nov 30.
"Police proceeded to the location and found the suspects loading cables into two cars upon their arrival," he said in a press conference at Balik Pulau police headquarters on Monday (Dec 2).
ACP Sazalee said the suspects quickly jumped into the cars and sped away to evade arrest.
While one of the cars escaped, the police pursued the other vehicle in a 3km high-speed chase before it skidded and crashed.
He said however the suspect in the crashed vehicle managed to flee from the police.
ACP Sazalee said inspection of the car found two cable cutters, a steel hammer, a screwdriver, a smartphone, cable segments, a black sweater and car keys.
He said acting on the information, police raided a house in Sungai Petani on the same day at about 9.30pm and arrested a suspect.
Following the arrest another four suspects including a woman were detained in a hotel in Sungai Petani.
ACP Sazalee said the suspects were between 25 to 40 years old and possessed prior records for crimes and drug abuse.
He said all suspects were also found positive for methamphetamine and amphetamine. They have been remanded for four days to assist in the ongoing police investigation.
ACP Sazalee said police are also hunting eight more suspects believed to be linked to the cable theft.
"Members of the public with information related to the cable theft incident or the remaining suspects still at large may contact the nearest police station or investigating officer Inspector Muhammad Nazirul Azhar Abdul Mutalib at 011-54143254," he added.
The case is being investigated under Section 379 of the Penal Code.
