MARANG: Police finally tracked down the inmate who escaped from Marang Prison 14 days ago at Kampung Padang Tanjung, Bukit Payong here, yesterday evening.
Marang police chief DSP Mohd Suhaimi Ali said the 23-year-old fugitive was caught after public tip-off.
“The police went to the scene to investigate and after questioning we confirmed the man to be the escaped prisoner,” he told reporters at a press conference here today.
Mohd Suhaimi said the suspect was taken to Marang police headquarters for further investigation under Section 223 and 224 of the Penal Code for escaping from lawful custody.
He said the suspect was believed to have survived on very little food in the forest as he appeared weak and listless.
Mohd Suhaimi said police had also identified a number of individuals suspected of protecting and providing food and drinks to the suspect.
“We also received information that the suspect met up with a relative three days ago and was persuaded to surrender to the police,” he said.
The suspect from Kampung Raya Resak was being remanded for four days for further investigation, he added.
The suspect who was serving a six-month jail sentence since Jan 3 for theft was believed to have escaped by climbing over the wall behind the prison toilet during religious classes. --Bernama