Cable theft ring busted in Melaka, 17 suspects detained

MELAKA: Melaka police have arrested 17 individuals, including six women, on suspicion of cable theft during a raid at a bungalow in Alor Gajah.

Melaka police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Zainol Samah said the suspects were part of a cable theft syndicate active in the state for the past year.

"The raid was conducted last week following a tip-off, and the women were found to be lovers of some of the suspects," he said on Wednesday (May 29).

DCP Zainol said the detained individuals, aged between 18 and 44 years old, included 16 who tested positive for drugs. "Eight of the suspects had previous criminal records," he added.

The suspects would allegedly impersonate Telekom Malaysia workers before stealing cables at strategic points and selling the stolen items to second-hand scrap dealers in Selangor and Melaka.

DCP Zainol mentioned that various items, including vehicles used in the thefts, were confiscated, with the total value amounting to about RM400,000.

He added that all the suspects are currently under remand to assist the investigation under Section 379 of the Penal Code for theft.