MELAKA: Melaka police have travelled some 350km to arrest two men suspected of stealing the donation boxes of mosques here.
Melaka Tengah OCPD Asst Comm Christopher Patit said the suspects were arrested in Bota of Perak last week.
He said a manhunt for the suspects was launched after a mosque official from Bukit Katil here lodged a report on Feb 8, on the theft of two donation boxes containing a total of RM300.
"The suspects, aged 21 and 23, are believed to be responsible for a series of similar thefts at mosques here," he said on Friday(June 9).
ACP Christopher said some equipment used for theft had been confiscated from the suspects.
He said the duo also tested positive for drugs and that the suspects had been actively involved in the crime since early this year.
"They use the stolen money to buy drugs," he said, adding that six donation box theft cases in the state were solved with the arrest of the two.
The two were now being investigated under Section 457 of the Penal Code for breaking into a house to commit burglary, which provides for an imprisonment term that may extend to 14 years and a possible fine or whipping, upon conviction.
