TAWAU: Police have arrested three local men in connection with an armed assault case following an incident at a premises on Jalan Chong Thien Vun here on Saturday.
Tawau District Police Chief ACP Jasmin Hussin on Monday that the suspects are being investigated following a police report lodged by a 29-year-old salesman.
According to the victim’s statement, he was approached by one known individual and two unknown men at a shop at about 9.20pm. The group allegedly assaulted him with an iron rod, striking him on the shoulder and causing injuries.
The first suspect, a 25-year-old salesman, was arrested along lorong Perdana Jaya 5, Batu 3 Jalan Apas. Police seized an iron rod measuring about 87 centimetres and a cutting knife about 21 centimetres long from the suspect.
“We arrested the second suspect, a 34-year-old businessman, at about 1.45pm on Sunday at the Criminal Investigation Department office at Tawau District Police Headquarters,” Jasmin said.
A 53-centimetre rattan cane believed to have been used in the assault was recovered from the second suspect.
The third suspect, a 36-year-old businessman, was detained at about 2.20pm at a house in Kampung Sharmizan, Jalan Kinabutan Tiku, Batu 5 Jalan Apas.
All three suspects are currently being held at the district police headquarters to assist with investigations. Police are working to establish the motive behind the attack.
In a separate incident on the same day, 29-year-old local man was arrested on while allegedly attempting to break into a house in Taman Rainbow, Jalan Kuhara, following alert action by police Mobile Patrol Vehicle (MPV) officers.
The suspect was detained at about 5.40pm by a team conducting routine patrols in the area.
Tawau District Police Chief ACP Jasmin Hussin said the MPV team observed the suspect behaving suspiciously around the premises and immediately called for backup to carry out the arrest.
“The MPV team conducting crime prevention patrols spotted the suspect in a suspicious condition near the house. Upon observing this, the team quickly secured assistance to apprehend the suspect,” he told the media on Sunday.
Following the arrest, police conducted a thorough inspection of the area and discovered that the back door of the house had its lock removed, believed to have been pried open by the suspect.
Officers also recovered a pipe cutter behind the house, which is believed to have been the tool intended for use in the attempted burglary.
“The suspect and the seized items were brought to the District Police Headquarters for further action and investigation under Section 447 of the Penal Code for criminal trespass,” Jasmin said.
He added that police take a serious view of any attempted house break-ins and will take stern action against perpetrators found trying to disturb public peace, including stealing public property.
Jasmin urged members of the public to immediately report any suspicious movements in their residential areas to the police.
He also called on neighbours to remain vigilant of their surroundings and practice the concept of neighbourhood watch to ensure peace and safety in their communities.
