Notorious criminal arrested for possessing pistol

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SIBU: Police arrested a notorious criminal for possession of a loaded pistol yesterday in their effort to boost security here on New Year’s Eve.

HARD AT WORK: Shafie inspects the pistol as (from left) Baharuddin, Yeoh and Zamani look on.

HARD AT WORK: Shafie inspects the pistol as (from left) Baharuddin, Yeoh and Zamani look on.

Loaded in the .38 gun were two ‘live’ bullets and three cartridges without bullets.

The loaded gun was kept in a container for a male virility herbs labelled ‘Hero of Heaven and Earth’ in Chinese.

Sibu police chief ACP Shafie Ismail said during a press conference yesterday that they were investigating the case seriously.

“The suspect could be dangerous because he is known for his string of alleged crimes like housebreaking, thefts and robberies.

“He has been in and out of our station, helping us in the investigations of these cases,” said Shafie.

He said the 34-year-old man, who has a record of drug addiction, had a robbery case pending in court.

“He was charged under Section 372A of the Penal Code for a robbery and for hurting his victim,” said Shafie.

He said the man was first spotted by policemen from a Mobile Patrol Vehicle (MPV) Unit at Jalan Delta at 3.30am.

“As he was standing alone beside his motorcycle, our policemen were concerned. They stopped to ask and the man said his motorcycle had broken down,” related Shafie.

He said when the policemen got out to try to help, they realised he was a notorious criminal.

“We then checked and found him with a laptop inside a bag, and in this bag, we also found the gun in the box,” he said.

The man had another bag containing his clothes, two handphones and other items. All items were seized along with the motorcycle.

Police are now investigating the case under Section 8(a) of the Fire Arms Act 1960. The Section provides for a maximum jail term of up to seven years or a fine of up to RM10,000 or both.

Shafie said although the suspect had been arrested before, this was the first time they had found him armed.

“We have remanded him for four days for further investigation,” he added.

Also present during the press conference yesterday were deputy police chief Supt Zamani Hamdan, senior investigating officer ASP Yeoh Chun Shyang, traffic head ASP Vicent Tan, Inspector Baharuddin Sabang, Inspector Seiful Azawan and Sgt Maj Deveraj Subramaniam.