KOTA KINABALU: Police arrested three men in less than 12 hours after they were suspected of robbing a convenience store in Inanam yesterday morning (April 13).
The three locals, aged between 27 and 29, were detained between 4pm and 5.30pm yesterday.
State Crime Investigation Department chief Senior Assistant Commissioner (SAC) Azmi Abd Rahim said today that during the incident at 3.15am, two of the three suspects armed with meat cleavers managed to flee in a car with RM470.
He said following a report, the police launched an operation and detained two suspects at 4am, followed by the third suspect later.
"The two suspects were arrested behind the Centre Point building by a team of officers and members from the D9 Criminal Investigation Division of the Sabah police headquarters.
"The team also seized items suspected to be used in the robbery," he said today.
Azmi added that one hour later, the third suspect was successfully detained in front of the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA).
"Upon interrogation, all three suspects confessed to committing the robbery.
"Further investigation revealed that the first suspect has a record for drugs, and the second has 10 records related to drugs, theft and housebreaking.
"The third suspect has five records related to drugs and housebreaking," he said.
According to him, all three were unemployed and had been remanded for further investigations.
"The case is being investigated for committing gang robbery, which carries a punishment of imprisonment for up to 20 years, fine or whipping upon conviction," he said.