SEREMBAN: Police have detained 16 individuals including two women, and seized RM1.5mil worth of equipment such as cables, which the suspects had allegedly stolen from telecommunication towers.
Seremban police chief Asst Comm Mohamad Hatta Che Din said they received a report on Feb 20 that a 300m-long DC (direct current) cable had been cut and stolen from a tower in Taman Kelab Tuanku.
“The following day, we detained 14 men and two women in an operation and seized items which were believed to have been stolen from these towers.”
ACP Mohamad Hatta said further checks revealed that four of the suspects have a criminal past.
He said apart from the DC cables, the suspects also stole other parts such as radio remote units and lithium batteries.
“We believe these stolen items were then sold to other telcos for a handsome profit. Items that were not sold were later disposed of to scrap dealers,” he said, adding that the group is believed to have been active since last year.
ACP Mohamad Hatta urged telcos or members of the public who have information on such thefts to come forward and assist the police in their investigations.
He said they can contact investigating officer Insp Saidi Busman at 011-3155 8034.
