JEMPOL: Police have detained a 34-year-old man for allegedly forcing his 10-year-old son to shoplift on several occasions.
Jempol deputy OCPD Supt R. Premkumar said the suspect was detained after the victim was caught shoplifting in a store in Bahau near here.
"A store supervisor caught the boy stealing a 200g packet of coffee powder.
"After being questioned by the police, the victim admitted his father had told him to do so.
"The victim said the suspect often forced him to shoplift items from various stores in Bahau and Batu Kikir," he said.
Supt Premkumar said the boy was also threatened if he refused to obey the suspect.
Checks by police revealed that the suspect was on the wanted list and had seven previous cases related to drug abuse, child abuse and abandonment.
The case, he said, was being probed under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act and Section 380 of the Penal Code for theft and 109 for abetment.
Supt Premkumar said the victim has since been handed over to his mother.
He added that police would apply an order to remand the suspect on Thursday (Jan 15).
