PETALING JAYA, Dec 31 — Kelantan police have identified 20 individuals including a 12-year-old boy, who were involved in looting because of the flood situation in Kota Baru, Kelantan.
The suspects, who are flood victims themselves, broke into business premises and carted away electronic devices and daily essential items.
Kota Baru district police chief ACP Rohaimi Md Isa said police identified the 20 individuals after they received six police reports from business owners.
He said most cases were reported at the commercial area in Wakaf Che Yeh.
“Six police reports were lodged but we fear the number will increase when people return to their homes and businesses when the floods subside,” he said.
Rohaimi said the losses are expected to run into thousands of ringgit.
“Items that were stolen include electronic appliances and daily essentials such as baby diapers and biscuits. Other business premises that lodged the reports include an optical shop and a cosmetic store,” he said.
He said five individuals were detained to facilitate investigations including the 12-year-old boy.
However, none of them were remanded.
Kelantan police have increased security in areas with no electricity and “high-risk locations” while those seen loitering were stopped and checked by police.
“There is no reason for people to be loitering around in flood-hit areas. That is why we are checking these suspicious characters,” he said.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said there was no necessity for the military to take over as yet because police were still able to control the situation.
“Although several police stations are affected by the floods, all of it are still operational,” he said.
Khalid said police were working on ensuring that theft cases in flood-hit areas were not rampant.
Two suspected thieves were arrested last Thursday in Kuantan when they took the opportunity of the flood situation and went on a house break-in spree.
They were detained by a police patrol unit when they were about to break into another house.
