KOTA KINABALU: Four foreign males, including a 10-year-old child, believed to be orchestrating a robbery in the city, were successfully apprehended last weekend.
The suspects, aged between 10 and 28 years, were captured in raids on Segama Street and Tugu Street, Kampung Air, by officers and members of the Special Investigation Department (D9) of the Criminal Investigation Department (JSJ) from the Sabah police contingent.
Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun stated that with the arrest of these suspects, they have resolved several robbery cases in tourist-concentrated areas of the city.
"On Dec 30, the police were informed of a robbery involving a Chinese citizen by two men on Gaya Street, resulting in the victim losing cash and valuable items.
"As a result, officers and members of D9 JSJ Sabah Contingent conducted an investigation and successfully apprehended two men near a building on Labuk Street, Segama, on January 13.
"Following the capture of these two suspects, the police seized several items suspected to be proceeds from robbery. Additionally, two knives, a screwdriver, and a hammer used by the suspects were also confiscated," he said when contacted today.
Jauteh added that continuous surveillance and investigation by the police force led to the arrest of two more men, including a 10-year-old child, suspected to be involved in robbery cases around the city.
"Both suspects, residing on Pulau Gaya, were apprehended in a raid on Tugu Street, Kampung Air, at 5:20 pm yesterday.
"All arrested suspects do not possess any valid identification documents.
"The case is being investigated under Section 395/397 of the Penal Code, which stipulates a maximum imprisonment of 20 years and may also incur a fine or caning," he said.
Meanwhile, addressing public concerns following robbery incidents, especially in tourist-concentrated areas, Jauteh stated that to ensure the safety of the public, including tourists, against crime, police will continue to carry out crime prevention operations and investigations until the criminals are apprehended.
"Continuous integrated operations involving officers and members from various units in hotspot areas, especially in tourist-concentrated areas around the city, are being conducted.
"This includes conducting 'Integrated Walkabouts' aimed at approaching the community while showing police presence to prevent crime," he said.