MIRI – Police have arrested two local men suspected of involvement in commercial premises break-ins in Miri, following an investigation into a reported burglary at a mobile phone shop in the Desa Senadin area.
The Miri District Police received a report from a local man who alleged that his phone shop had been broken into by unidentified individuals.
The case came under investigation after CCTV footage reviewed by police showed a masked individual wearing a hat allegedly entering the premises through a rear door.
According to the information provided by Miri District Police, the footage was recorded on 3 October 2026 at approximately 4.24 am. The individual was believed to have used a tool to force open a padlock before gaining access to the shop.
Following intelligence gathering and enquiries, police arrested two local men at Jalan Cythula at approximately 1.15 am on 12 October.
The operation was conducted by the Crime Prevention Branch of the Miri Central Police Station under the leadership of Miri Police Chief ASP Goldy Anak Jangan.
Police said the investigation subsequently linked the suspects to three alleged break-in cases involving commercial premises around the Miri district.
These reportedly included a telephone shop along Jalan Senadin, a seafood restaurant on Jalan South Yu Seng and a barbecue steamboat establishment on Jalan Senadin.
The alleged incidents involved different types of businesses, although the police statement did not provide details of the losses reported at each location.
Investigators are expected to examine the available evidence to establish the circumstances of each case and determine the extent of any alleged involvement by the suspects.
During the arrests, police seized several items for investigation, including clothing, various types of mobile phone top-up cards, mobile phones and phone accessories.
The authorities have not disclosed the number of items recovered or confirmed whether all the seized property was allegedly stolen from the premises involved.
The seized items may assist investigators in examining possible links between the suspects and the reported incidents.
Further enquiries would be needed to establish the origin of the property and whether it is connected to any of the alleged break-ins.
The case is being investigated under Section 457 of the Penal Code, which concerns lurking house-trespass or house-breaking in order to commit an offence punishable with imprisonment.
The specific application of the provision will depend on the facts established during the investigation and the evidence available to the authorities.
Police have not provided further details about the suspects’ identities, whether they have been remanded or whether additional arrests are expected. The statement also did not indicate whether the suspects had been formally charged in court.
The investigation highlights the role of CCTV recordings and information from the public in helping police identify suspects and investigate alleged property crimes.
Security footage can provide investigators with details about the timing and method of an incident, while recovered items and other evidence may help establish connections between separate cases.
Commercial premises, particularly shops and restaurants that hold stock or equipment, can take practical precautions to reduce the risk of break-ins.
These include securing rear entrances, checking locks regularly, maintaining functioning surveillance systems and reporting suspicious activity to the authorities.
Such measures do not eliminate the risk of crime but can support prevention efforts and assist investigations when incidents occur.
Miri District Police have urged members of the public to share information about suspected criminal activity to support efforts to prevent crime and maintain public safety and order. Anyone with relevant information is encouraged to contact the police through the appropriate official channels.
The investigation remains ongoing, and the allegations against the two men have not been established in court. Both suspects are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in accordance with the law. â Sarawak Daily
