KOTA KINABALU: A man dressed up as a woman who allegedly broke into a house in Tawau district has been arrested.

       The 35-year-old suspect, a lorry driver, was arrested soon after allegedly committing the crime in Taman Ria Height at around 8am on Wednesday (Feb 23).

       Tawau OCPD Asst Comm Peter Umbuas said the house owner returned home after sending her mother to work and found the grille on the front entrance ajar.

       He said the owner also saw some slippers outside, which were bigger than any pair she had at home.

       “She was afraid and went back to her car to call her relatives for help.

       “While waiting, she saw a ‘woman’ dressed in pyjamas, wearing a headscarf and a face mask, leaving the house,” said ACP Peter.

       He said the house owner alerted her neighbours as the suspect fled in a car.

       ACP Peter said a few neighbours and police in plain clothes who were in the area gave chase.

       The suspect crashed his car into a road divider in his attempt to escape.

       “The suspect was apprehended and handed over to the police,” he said.

       It was then that they learnt that the “female” suspect was actually a man.

       “He must have dressed that way to avoid detection,” said ACP Peter.

       Items including cash and accessories worth about RM150 were recovered from the suspect.

       The case is being investigated for house break-in under Section 457 of the Penal Code.