Stolen trucks may have been used

PENANG: One of the two container trucks believed to have been used in the US$12.7mil (RM47mil) microchip heist at the Batu Maung Free Commercial Zone here was reported stolen from Dengkil, Selangor.  

The owner had lodged a police report on the stolen vehicle on Sept 21. 

DETAILED TASK: Staff from the Chemistry Department checking the two container trucks in Nibong Tebal yesterday.

The other truck was also found to have been stolen, but police have yet to get details. 

The two trucks believed to have been used to transport the stolen microchips from the Second Air Cargo Complex on Nov 20 were found dumped at Lorong Kendi Tujuh, Taman Merak in Simpang Empat, at 11.30am last Saturday. 

State CID chief Senior Asst Comm (II) Abdul Samah Mat said yesterday that the original colour and name of the container truck from Selangor had been altered.  

He said a check showed that the stolen truck had a forged registration plate PGG 7026.  

The trailer belonged to a Perak-based transportation company called Seng Huat and police identified the vehicle after verifying the chassis number, he added.  

“We are still waiting for a thorough report from our counterparts at the Kajang police headquarters to identify the contents kept in the container before it was stolen,” he said. 

On Nov 20, more than 20 robbers entered the cargo complex and made off with the microchips and motherboards. 

The robbers loaded the microchips into two containers before escaping. 

SAC Abdul Samah said the police had found that the other truck also had false registration plate PGF 5806, adding that they had yet to verify the address and other details.  

“The Chemistry Department and a police forensics team have been called in to assist in investigations. The team has to scratch out the container’s paint to identify the actual address of the trailer,” he added.  

He said that the police had also contacted the Road Transport Department to verify the chassis and engine numbers.  

So far, nine suspects have been arrested to assist in the investigations. 

On why the CCTV camera failed to capture the containers’ image on Penang Bridge, SAC Abdul Samah said time factor and the weaknesses of the camera should be taken into account in this incident.