BINTULU: Police arrested three local men yesterday (Apr 7) for impersonating police officers and extorting members of the public recently.
The incident, which happened around 12.30 pm on Saturday (Apr 6), had gone viral on social media.
In the incident, a man was not only robbed but also sustained injuries during the encounter. He is currently receiving treatment at the hospital.
Bintulu police chief Supt Nixon Joshua Ali said that following the incident, the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) launched an operation code named ‘Ops Cantas’ to track down the suspects.
“In less than 24 hours, we managed to arrest the suspects aged between 26 and 30 around Bintulu and Tatau.
“Also seized were several clothes belonging to the suspects, a vehicle, a set of keys and a phone belonging to the victim,” he said.
Investigations found that the group had been engaging in their activity since early this month around Bintulu.
Nixon said their modus operandi involved targeting victims at supermarkets, posing as law enforcement officers, coercing them into vehicles, and robbing them.
“No weapons were reported to have been used during the crime,” he added.
Background checks showed that the men, who tested positive for methamphetamine/amphetamine, have 11 prior records related to crime and drug abuse.
The suspects are being remanded to facilitate investigations and they will be charged in Bintulu Court in the near future.
The case is being investigated under Section 394 of the Penal Code and Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
