Cops arrest man in suspicion of throwing petrol bombs, red paint at several houses

JOHOR BARU: Police have arrested a 36-year-old man believed to have thrown petrol bombs and red paint at several houses here.

Seri Alam acting OCPD Deputy Supt Shahrulanuar Mushaddat Abdullah Sani said that the suspect was arrested at about 7am on Saturday (Jan 16), in front of a shop in Taman Ria Plentong.

"The suspect was believed to have thrown petrol bombs and red paint at a house in Taman Molek at about 9am on Thursday (Jan 14). He then did the same thing to another house in Taman Bukit Tiram at about 11.15am on the same day.

"We have also seized several items from the suspect to assist in investigations. This included his clothes and helmet, which has red paint, a marker believed to have been used to write threat notes and a lighter believed to have been used to light up the petrol bomb," he said in a statement on Saturday.

He added that the suspect, who tested positive for methamphetamine, also has criminal records involving drugs, crime and cheating.

"The suspect was previously wanted for a case under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 in Johor Baru South and Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating in Inanam, Sabah.

"He also has four other criminal records involving drugs and crime," he added.

He said that the suspect would be remanded to assist in investigations and to identify other cases that he could have been involved in.

"The police are also identifying an Ah Long syndicate believed to have paid the suspect RM300 each time he harasses the victims," he said.

He urged the public with information on the matter to go to the nearest police station or contact the Johor police at 07-2212999 or the Seri Alam police at 07-3864222.