Burglar detained by house owner, neighbours

KUCHING: A 33-year-old male suspect was re-arrested by the police after he was apprehended by a group of men for allegedly breaking into a vacant house at Taman Dahlia, Petra Jaya about 3 am yesterday.

Kuching District police chief ACP Awang Din Awang Gani who confirmed the case said the suspect injured a 44-year-old General Operations Force (GOF) personnel who was among the group of men.

“The GOF personnel suffered injuries to his hand and head in the incident and was sent to the Sarawak General Hospital for treatment,” said Awang Din in a statement.

It is believed that the suspect attacked the three men and the 48-year-old homeowner who tried to detain him with a hammer and a sharp object while trying to escape.

He added that the case will be investigated under Section 448 and Section 324 of the Penal Code.

“The homeowner received a call from a neighbour informing him that someone might have broken into his house,” said Awang Din.

The homeowner who has put up the house for rent quickly went to the house and discovered several items being placed in front of the house and suspected the burglar was still inside the house .

He locked the front doors from the outside and called out the neighbours and a relative for assistance.

Three of them joined the homeowner, including the PGA personnel.

“The four of them proceeded to enter the house and found out that the suspect was hiding inside a storeroom that was locked from the inside,” said Awang Din.

The four managed to force open the door and apprehended the suspect who put up a fight.

The suspect who was also injured in the scuffle was also sent to hospital for treatment.

Police also found several house break-in tools belonging to the suspect in the house.