KUCHING: Samarahan police have arrested a 49-year-old man in connection with a burglary at a Chinese temple in Kampung Jemukan Ulu, Sadong Jaya, Asajaya.
Samarahan police chief Supt Damatarius Lautin said the incident occurred around 2.05pm on August 18, when two men were caught on CCTV stealing from a donation box at An Hui Ting Chinese Temple.
“Acting on the alert from the temple’s secretary, who was monitoring the CCTV, the complainant together with the temple chairman blocked the suspects’ exit using their vehicles and immediately alerted the police. One suspect was successfully apprehended while the other, believed to be in his 50s, managed to flee into nearby bushes,” said Damatarius in a statement today.
The arrested suspect, a 49-year-old unemployed man with prior criminal records including drug-related offences, was found to be under the influence of drugs at the time of arrest.
A car believed to have been used during the crime, along with a plastic roll coated with glue at its tip used to retrieve money from the donation box, were seized.
“The suspect has been remanded at the Kota Samarahan Magistrate’s Court today for further investigation under Section 380 of the Penal Code for theft in a building,” Damatarius said.
He said police are now looking for the accomplice still at large.
By Connie Chieng