TEMERLOH: A 35-year-old man who was on the police wanted list was arrested today while driving a stolen vehicle in Jalan Tengku Ismail, near here.
The suspect, who has A criminal record with 44 prior offences, was found in possession of drugs and tools used in telecommunication cable thefts.
District police chief Assistant Commissioner Mazlan Hassan said a police team, led by Assistant Superintendent Amirul Syazwan from the district Criminal Investigation Department, spotted the suspect behaving suspiciously during their patrol rounds about 10.30am.
“The suspect, who was alone in an Isuzu pickup truck parked in front of a shop, attempted to flee when approached by police. He crashed into a road divider and ended up in the opposite lane.
“He then tried to resist arrest, but the police team managed to overpower him. Upon searching the vehicle, policemen found Yaba pills, syabu, and several cable-cutting tools in the rear of the truck,” he said in a statement.
Mazlan said investigations revealed the suspect was wanted for attempted murder and for obstructing a public servant in Bentong.
“Checks on the engine and chassis numbers revealed that the pickup truck had been reported stolen in Kelantan.
“Initial investigations also found him to be behind a series of telecommunication cable thefts reported earlier this year in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Jerantut and Maran,” he said, adding that the suspect also tested positive for methamphetamine use.
Mazlan said the suspect is being investigated for obstructing public servants, possession of drugs, and possession of tools used in cable thefts.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident along the same stretch of the road at around the same time, Mazlan said a police team detained a couple traveling in a Volkswagen car that was not registered with the Road Transport Department.
“Policemen flagged down the car and discovered Yaba pills, two bottles of ketum juice, cutters, and a rope during the inspection. Investigations revealed the couple were from Bandar Jengka in Maran, and the male suspect tested positive for methamphetamine.
“They are being investigated for possession of drugs and ketum juice, and for operating a vehicle suspected of not being declared to the Customs Department,” he said.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
