SHAH ALAM: Police had acquired closed circuit television camera (CCTV) recordings from several premises near the Pinggiran USJ police station in Taman Perindustrian UEP, Subang Jaya on the murder of Lance Corporal Valentino Mesa on Thursday.
Selangor police chief Datuk Mazlan Mansor said the CCTV recordings are currently being studied by a team of investigators to glean clues to shed light into the murder of the 29-year-old.
The late Valentino’s body was found dead with slash and gunshot wounds at the Police station at about 3.30am, Thursday. His colleagues who returned from patrol found him slumped at the Police station’s information counter.
"We have a few CCTV recordings and are examining it at the moment. We hope to pick up vital clues through the recordings. However, so far, we have not obtained anything concrete.
"We are also not only studying the CCTV recordings but working on other elements as well that could lead us to gather evidences in the course of the investigations, such as such as speaking to witnesses as well as members of the public that can assist us,” he said.
He declined to divulge the motive of the murder, saying that he does not want the investigations to be jeopardised.
"Let us investigate and please do not speculate. Do not jump to conclusion,” he said adding that Selangor Criminal Investigations Department chief Assistant Commissioner Fadzil Ahmat is leading the investigation into the case.
"We are doing our level best to solve this case the soonest we can. The Bukit Aman Criminal Investigations Department will also be assisting us," said Mazlan.
Asked if there could be more people detained in connection to the case, Mazlan said: "We will wait and see. If there are any elements that warrants an arrest, we will do so."
Mazlan also again dismissed that Valentino's Walther P99 service pistol, believed to have been taken by his attacker, was found.
He also urged the media and other parties to refrain from circulating and reporting unverified information.
"If the information is unconfirmed by me, it is a mere speculation. I will definitely update when there are new developments."
Mazlan was speaking to reporters after attending the ‘Korban Gotong Royong’ programme held at the Selangor police contingent headquarters level this morning.
A 34-year-old suspect from Sarawak has since been remanded for seven days from Friday, in connection with the case.
He was arrested some 16 hours after the incident as he was about to board a flight to Sibu, at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport at about 7.30pm.
The New Straits Times was made to understand that Valentino, who had served the force for 7 years, was brutally attacked with a sharp weapon before being shot execution style in the back at close range.
Initial checks by the police at the scene also revealed that the Policeman was slashed once on his forehead and sustained at least five more slash wounds in the back of his head.
It is also believed that he was shot in the back while lying face down on the floor after being slashed.
Valentino's body was sent to Serdang Hospital for post-mortem.
It was reported that Valentino's body has arrived at the Rumah Maing long house, Besai Entaih Entabai, Julau in Sarikei for burial.
Julau district police chief Deputy Superintendent Bidol Noyeng was quoted as saying that Valentino will be buried tomorrow morning.