Rapid KL foils second cable theft attempt in a week

KUALA LUMPUR: A thwarted attempt to steal earthing cables along the MRT Putrajaya Line has been quelled by Rapid KL auxiliary police, as per a statement released today. The arrest came following a cable theft incident on Saturday, which caused train service disruptions on the line. In response, auxiliary police and the Putrajaya Line operations team escalated patrols, surveillance, and security checks at high-risk locations, especially during the Deepavali holiday.

On Nov 8, around 1pm, auxiliary police personnel discovered several earthing cables presumed to have been targeted by thieves near an electrical substation close to Jinjang station. The investigation revealed that the cables had been cut at a different location before being left at the substation, presumably awaiting collection and removal.

Following the incident, heightened surveillance and monitoring were conducted in the surrounding area, particularly along the stretch between Jinjang and Metro Prima stations, to apprehend the perpetrators. At 11.57pm, a lorry was observed entering the area, suspected to be used for transporting the cut cables. Nevertheless, the lorry driver escaped during the raid, but an arrested suspect was handed over to the police for further action and investigation.

Rapid KL emphasized that cable theft and trespassing on railway tracks are not only criminal offenses but also pose a threat to public safety, damage critical infrastructure, and disrupt public transport services. The company vowed to continue collaborating with authorities and bolster security measures to safeguard its assets and ensure uninterrupted train services.