BUTTERWORTH: The game was up for three cattle rustlers when their attempt to steal cattle came to naught after the car transporting the livestock was involved in an accident.
The incident that took place at about 4am on Thursday was unfolded when the rustlers stole the animal from its pen at Sungai Lokan, near, here.
The owner of the cattle pen realised that something was amiss when he heard dogs barking incessantly and upon checking his CCTV, he saw someone stealing his Brahman cattle.
Seberang Perai Utara OCPD, Assistant Commissioner, Noorzainy Mohd Noor said the 52-year-old owner saw four suspects in two cars trying to steal his cattle.
“The suspects managed to upload one livestock into a Honda Civic, before they fled from the scene.
“Seeing suspects fleeing with his cattle, the owner went after them. During the chase, the car carrying the cattle lost control and crashed.
Noorzainy said the three suspects who were hurt in the incident were detained before they were handed over to the police.
“All three suspects were sent to the Kepala Batas Hospital for treatment before they were remanded,” he said, adding that a fourth suspect fled from the scene and police are in the midst of tracking him.
Noorzainy said the suspects were believed to have used a blow pipe to sedate the cattle with a dart before loading the animal into the car.
The case is being investigated under Section 379 of the Penal Code for theft.