TAIPING: A trio of bungling novice thieves' attempt to steal expensive underground telecommunications cables in Padang Gajah here was foiled when police caught them red-handed.

       Taiping police chief ACP Mohamad Nasir Ismail said when the Op Telaga raid was in progress, the three men aged 26 to 27 were apprehended while prying open the manhole cover to access Telekom Malaysia (TM) cables at 12.20am on Friday (Jan 19).

       "The three jobless individuals were apparently rookies when it came to stealing cables.

       "We also seized a T-iron, which is a manhole opener, wrecking bar, hammer, steel cutter and screwdriver," he said adding that they also seized a car the suspects used.

       He said the group's modus operandi was to open manhole cover, cut the cables and pull it out using a vehicle.

       Mohamad Nasir said police are investigating if the group had any accomplices still at large.

       "The cables are estimated to be worth RM20,000 while the market price is RM50,000," he said at a press conference here on Monday (Jan 22).

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       He said the three men have been remanded for six days until Wednesday (Jan 24) for investigation under Section 431A and Section 511 of the Penal Code, which provides for a maximum prison sentence of two years or a fine or both if convicted.

       In another case, he said police caught a serial armed robber who tried to hold up a petrol station in Simpang here through Op Sentap on the same day.

       He said the unemployed 37-year-old drug addict was nabbed after a tip-off at 7.15am.

       "Items seized from the suspect included a knife, helmet, mobile phone, raincoat and motorcycle," he said.

       He said the suspect, who is single, was also linked to robberies around Taiping at the beginning of this year by preying on solitary victims walking alone, especially the elderly.

       "Our investigations find that this arrest is linked to various criminal and drug cases. With this arrest, police have successfully solved seven robbery and snatch cases in this district," he said.

       He said a subsequent search of the suspect's house uncovered equipment used for criminal activities, including a kerambit (curved blade), a helmet and a mobile phone.

       He said the loot recovered from the suspect is estimated to be worth RM15,000, including proceeds from snatch thefts in Jalan Simpang worth a princely RM10,000.

       The suspect has been remanded for six days to assist in the investigation under Section 392 of the Penal Code for robbery. – Bernama