Freed in lockup slip-up

> Detainee ‘assumes identity’ of cellmate to be released on bail

SEGAMAT: A detainee sentenced to prison in connection with a drug-related offence, house breakin and theft was mistakenly released from the lockup at the district police station here.

The incident at 11.30am yesterday happened after a lockup supervisor received a bail notice for a 22-year-old detainee.

A police source said a constable and a corporal were on duty during the incident.

“Upon receiving the bail notice, one of them called out the detainee’s name, but there was no response. He then shouted out the name listed in the bail notice several times.

A detainee then responded, and was released. Later, the supervisor checked on the other detainees and found one of them missing.

“He then realised he had mistakenly released the wrong man, who had been sentenced to six months’ imprisonment on Oct 11. The detainee named in the bail notice was still in the lockup,” the source said.

Police tried to contact the released detainee’s wife and mother but failed to reach them, and subsequently launched an operation to locate him.

The “fugitive” has been identified as Azrulnizam Arif, 39, who was last seen wearing an orange T-shirt and purple shorts.

The case is being investigated under Section 223 and 224 of the Penal Code for fleeing from police custody.

Those with information on the suspect can contact Insp Huzaifah Akma Ishak at 011-2776 6092 or Segamat district police at 07-931 2222, or the nearest police station.