IPOH: Police arrested eight suspects following the latest telecommunications cable theft incident in the state.
Perak police chief Comm Datuk Azizi Mat Aris said the suspects, all unemployed, were picked up during an operation early yesterday following the theft at Taman Canning the day before.
“They were trying to drag the underground cables using a 4WD.
“We seized a 300m-long cable and tools used to steal the cables,” he said, adding that seven of the suspects had previous drug-related cases.
Comm Azizi said police are also investigating whether any of the suspects had worked with telecommunications firms.
“Stealing underground cables requires skills and special tools,” he told reporters during a visit to the theft site yesterday.
He revealed that police opened 247 investigation papers into telecommunications cable theft in the state this year, with 76 cases brought to court.
“There has been an increase in cases involving cables belonging to Telekom Malaysia, Tenaga Nasional Bhd and other telecommunication companies.
“Those involved are not only stealing cables but also damaging public property along the roads.”
Comm Azizi warned secondhand shop operators not to buy cables from suspicious people.
“If we find them having stolen items, we will revoke their licence.
“The operators should inform us when they come across people trying to sell stolen cables.”
Network TM Perak general manager Sallehuddin Khalif said rewards would be given to those who report cable thefts.
“We urge the people to inform us or the police if they come across suspicious activities involving the cables,” he said, adding that thieves are mostly interested in copper rather than fibre optic cables.
