KUALA LUMPUR: A suspected cable thief fell to his death at an apartment in Kajang Utama, Kajang, while trying to evade arrest yesterday.
Earlier, the suspect and another man were stealing cables at the apartment when they were spotted by a security guard.
Both men tried to flee, but one of them fell from the 23rd floor of the building.
Kajang district police chief, Assistant Commissioner Naazron Abdul Yusof, said the security guard managed to apprehend one of the suspects. The other suspect fell to his death while attempting to escape.
Naazron said that the suspect had reportedly tried to jump to another level via the balcony, but slipped and fell to the fourth floor of the apartment building.
"The 29-year-old suspect was confirmed dead at the scene by paramedics from Kajang Hospital.
"The other suspect, aged 31, was caught with six rolls of copper wire, and several wire-cutting tools," he said in a statement yesterday.
Naazron added that a background check on the apprehended suspect revealed eight prior criminal records. A urine test came up positive for methamphetamine.
"The deceased meanwhile, also had 10 prior criminal records.
"Investigations are ongoing, and the case is classified under Section 431A of the Penal Code, and Section 15(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952," he said.
The death of the suspect who fell from the building has been classified as sudden death (SDR).
He urged anyone with information on the incident to contact the nearest police station or the case's investigating officer, Inspector K. Suresh, at 017-4333795.