BEAUFORT: Police arrested a man for setting fire to a car owned by a man he believed was involved in a relationship with his wife.
District police chief deputy superintendent Ismail Abdullah said, investigations revealed the owner arrived at his house in Membakut and was informed by his brother-in-law that the suspect had entered the victim's premises.
"The suspect had opened the victim's car door and threw something inside before leaving the scene hastily.
"Examination of the victim's car revealed that the front passenger seat, seatbelt, steering wheel, dashboard, and roof lining were burnt," he said when contacted today.
He added that as a result of the incident, the victim suffered losses amounting to RM20,000.
"Following reports received, a team of officers and members of the Special Investigation Department of the Beaufort district police headquarters arrested a man in his 30s in Sipitang at 6.30pm on Saturday."
Based on preliminary interviews, the suspect confessed to setting fire to and spraying the victim's car with black paint.
"This act was done because the suspect was jealous and claimed that the victim had a relationship with the suspect's wife," he said.
Ismail said the suspect is now remanded for seven days starting today until April 21.
"The case is being investigated under Section 436 of the Penal Code for mischief by fire," he said.