KUCHING: Bintulu police dismantled the activities of a group believed to be involved in diesel theft in an operation codenamed 'Ops Lusuh on Wednesday (Feb 25) and Thursday.
Bintulu OCPD Supt Nixon Joshua Ali said in the operation, three suspects, aged between 22 and 32, were arrested in separate locations in the city.
He said the group's modus operandi was to operate actively at night, targeting lorries parked by the roadside before stealing diesel from their petrol tanks.
"The stolen diesel fuel is then believed to be resold to certain parties at a lower price as a source of side income.
"The results of the initial investigation found that one of the suspects was responsible for providing the vehicle in exchange for cash, while the other two suspects were directly involved in the theft activity," he said in a statement here on Sunday.
Nixon said that a background check also found that two of the suspects had criminal records under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and burglary cases in several other districts namely Kapit, Sibu and Song.
"Police are carrying out further investigations to determine if the suspects are involved in other unresolved criminal cases in the Bintulu area.
"Two sedan vehicles, which are believed to have been used for the crimes, were also seized," he said, adding that the case is being investigated under Section 379 of the Penal Code. - Bernama
