Thursday, December 29, 2022

Cylinder thieves run of 'gas'

 Some of the gas cylinders seized from the suspects. - NSTP/FARIZUL HAFIZ AWANG

KUANTAN: Since October this year, two men have been on a robbery spree across the state capital here, breaking into nine business premises before making-off with household gas cylinders.

The duo sold the cylinders stolen from laundry outlets, food stalls and grocery stores to a Bangladeshi who kept them in a store in Semambu near here before selling the 14kg units to third parties at a lower price.

However, their activities came to an end when policemen caught the two local men aged 27 and 32 transporting eight cylinders in a vehicle along Jalan Bukit Ubi here about 2.30am on Dec 24.

District police chief Assistant Commissioner Wan Mohd Zahari Wan Busu said policemen found four gas cylinders in the rear seat and another four units in the car boot.

He said after questioning the duo, police raided a store in Semambu on Dec 27 where they nabbed the 32-year-old Bangladeshi and recovered 42 units of stolen cylinders.

"The two local men will steal and sell the cylinders for RM40 each to the foreigner who will then sell the units for RM50 to customers. The foreigner will target customers who are buying the units for the first time including those at construction sites.

"Investigations revealed the two suspects stole the gas cylinders from food stalls and laundry outlets in Permatang Badak, Kemunting, Indera Mahkota, Air Putih and Jalan Beserah here. They usually carried out their activities between 2am and 5am," he told reporters at the Kuantan police headquarters.

Kuantan District police chief Assistant Commissioner Wan Mohd Zahari Wan Busu showing some of the gas cylinders, hidden in a car, during a press conference at the Kuantan police headquarters. - NSTP/FARIZUL HAFIZ AWANG
Kuantan District police chief Assistant Commissioner Wan Mohd Zahari Wan Busu showing some of the gas cylinders, hidden in a car, during a press conference at the Kuantan police headquarters. - NSTP/FARIZUL HAFIZ AWANG

Wan Zahari said police received nine reports involving gas cylinder thefts since October this year and each premises owner suffered losses of between RM140 and RM2,000 each.

He said the trio have been remanded till tomorrow and are being investigated under Section 457 of the Penal Code for breaking into a house to commit burglary and Section 411 for dishonestly receiving stolen property. - NST

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