KOTA KINABALU: A thief was apprehended while escaping from a house in Kg Saga, Tenom, on Monday (May 13) night.
The suspect had broken into the house and was attempting to exit through a window when villagers caught him.
Tenom OCPD Supt Azmir Abd Razak said that in the 8.30pm incident, a villager heard noises from a neighbour’s house and went to investigate.
"The villager then called for others to help catch the suspect and to cordon the area while waiting for police to arrive," he said in a statement.
They saw an unidentified man attempting to climb out through the house’s back window, he said.
Supt Azmir stated the suspect was captured and, upon inspection, was found to be carrying jewellery, three pairs of women's underwear and a screwdriver.
"We believe the suspect entered the house through the back room," he said.
He added the suspect is being investigated for house break-in, and authorities are checking if he is linked to similar cases in the district.