KUALA LUMPUR: A man has been arrested for attempting to break into an automated teller machine (ATM) at a bank at Wangsa Melawati here.
Wangsa Maju OCPD Supt Ashari Abu Samah said they received a call claiming that an ATM was set on fire at around 12.55pm on Oct 24.
"The incident was initially believed to be an attempt to cut into the machine to steal the money inside.
"We checked CCTV footage which revealed a man equipped with a gas tank and blowtorch attempting to cut into the machine.
"He fled when he realised he could not cut into the machine," he said in a statement on Wednesday (Oct 26).
He said based on intelligence gathered, police from the Wangsa Maju CID serious crimes division (D9) together with Kuala Lumpur CID caught a 25-year-old man at around 12.45am on Oct 26.
"We also seized the suspects clothes, a gas tank, as well as a vehicle used in the incident.
"Our investigations revealed the suspect was desperate as he owed money to loan sharks," he said, adding that the suspect has been remanded for three days to assist further investigations.
He said the case was being investigated as mischief by fire and attempted theft.
"Let this be a warning to the public to refrain from committing any offences.
"We will not hesitate to take stern action using all available laws," he said.
Those with information on the case should contact the Wangsa Maju police at 03-9289 9222 or the City Police hotline at 03-2115 9999.
