SEREMBAN: A cable theft gang active in four states and recently filmed stealing Telekom Malaysia cables in broad daylight using a Mercedes-Benz and a pickup truck has been busted.
This follows the arrest of 14 people, including two women, after a video of the suspects in action near a primary school in Kampung Melayu Panchor on Oct 9 went viral.
The suspects, aged between 22 and 67, were arrested in a series of raids in Labu, Nilai and Dengkil, Selangor, and have been remanded.
Seremban police chief Assistant Commissioner Mohd Yatim Osman said the arrests had helped solve several cable theft cases in Negri Sembilan, Selangor, Kedah and Melaka.
"We also seized five vehicles, cable-cutting tools, three sacks of burnt copper wire and clothes worn by the suspects during the theft in Panchor," he said.
In the viral incident, four masked men using four vehicles, including a Mercedes-Benz and a pickup truck, were seen pulling cables from two TM manholes near a junction outside the school.
"The case is being investigated under Section 379 of the Penal Code for theft and Section 235 of the Communications and Multimedia Act."
The offences carry jail terms and fines.
Those with information are urged to contact the Seremban police headquarters at 06-6033222.
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