KUCHING: Police have arrested a group of unemployed men for snatching the personal belongings of two women on Apr 26.
Acting Kuching police chief Supt Merbin Lisa said the suspects, aged between 20 and 32, were arrested in separate locations in the city within days after a police report lodged by the complainants.
“The first arrest took place around BDC within 48 hours after the police report was lodged.
“After the first arrest, police arrested three other suspects in a budget hotel at Jalan Canna and at a house at Jalan Simpang Tiga.
“All the suspects stayed in separate rented premises to cover up their tracks,” said Merbin.
The snatching incident happened around 4.30am when the women were waiting for their employer’s arrival at their workplace in Jalan Pending.
Two men snatched the women’s phones and bags before fleeing the scene on two motorcycles ridden by two other men.
Merbin stated that with the arrest of all four snatchers, police were able to recover stolen items such as bank cards, identity cards and a notebook.
“The motorcycles, helmets and clothes used in the crime were also seized from the suspects.
“Background checks found that all four men had past records of property crimes and drug abuse. They also tested positive for methamphetamine,” he said.
Merbin added police were investigating whether the group was involved in other crime cases.
He said the suspects were believed to be involved in house burglaries and motorcycle thefts around Kuching.
The suspects are now remanded until May 13 to facilitate investigations under Section 395 of the Penal Code which provides for a jail term of up to 20 years and whipping.
