Policemen with the suspect (centre) in Tawau.
KOTA KINABALU: A careless mistake on the road in Tawau led to more serious offences being uncovered when a motorist was found using a fake vehicle number plate.
In the 9.40am incident on Thursday (June 26), the 25-year-old motorist almost hit a policeman on his rounds in town and was ordered to pull over.
Tawau OCPD Asst Comm Jasmin Hussin said the patrolman sensed something suspicious about the vehicle when the driver made a sudden turn and almost hit him.
“Upon inspection, the car was found to have a false plate number, as well as fake engine and vehicle chassis numbers," he said in a statement.
“We believe he (used the false information) to avoid police detection,” he said, adding that the driver has 14 traffic summonses and does not have a driver’s licence.
ACP Jasmin said the suspect was then taken in for further investigations under the Road Transport Act 1987, and the vehicle was seized.
He reminded the public to prevent making illegal modifications on their vehicles to avoid trouble with the law.
He also said it is a crime to deceive enforcement authorities in any way, including falsifying vehicle plate numbers.
