KOTA KINABALU: A man spent an hour on a tree to avoid being arrested after breaking into a government building here.
He finally followed instructions from the authorities who ordered him to surrender to the police.
District police chief assistant commissioner Mohd Zaidi Abdullah said the 32-year-old suspect was found burglarising the building about 9pm.
After that, he ran and climbed a tree.
"A police team that received a report immediately rushed to the scene and found the suspect still on the tree
"The Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) were also present at the scene after receiving information," he said when contacted.
Mohd Zaidi said the suspect, who was unemployed, was initially stubborn and did not want to follow the instructions given.
However, he said, after more than an hour of being persuaded by the police and firefighters, the suspect finally complied and surrendered.
"Further investigations are being carried out under Section 448 of the Penal Code which provides for a maximum jail term of three years or a fine of up to RM5,000 or both," he said.