James Kon
The two main suspects involved in the armed robbery at a goldsmith shop at the Kampong Tanjung Bunut commercial area on December 12 are still at large.
The public with information on locals Muhammad Noh bin Mohd Idham, 36, known as Noh and Mohammad Amirul Alif bin Ali, 32, known as Alif is urged to contact the police hotline 993 or visit the nearest police station, said Royal Brunei Police Force Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Major Crime Investigation Division Acting Head, Acting Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Haji Mohamad Khairul Amilin bin Haji Idris.
Addressing a press conference yesterday, he said, “Two local suspects, a male and a female, have been detained for alleged involvement in the robbery. The main suspects believed to be the robbers are still at large, and efforts to trace the suspects are ongoing.”
Acting SSP Haji Mohamad Khairul Amilin said the stolen properties are valued at around BND16,000. Police recovered three of the 11 missing items. Two were found dropped at the scene of the robbery and one sold.
The Royal Brunei Police Force has mobilised its personnel from several units under the Criminal Investigation Department, led by the Special Investigation Unit, to obtain information and carry out further investigation following the armed robbery, he said.
The Royal Brunei Police Force seeks public assistance to locate the two suspects, who have
criminal history.
Acting SSP Haji Mohamad Khairul Amilin said any individual harbouring criminal suspects can be charged under Section 216A, Chapter 22 of the Penal Code. If found guilty, the offender can be sentenced up to seven years’ jail and a fine.
In addition, under Section 412, Chapter 22 of the Penal Code, an individual found guilty of dishonestly receiving stolen property during a gang robbery can face up to 15 years’ imprisonment and a fine.
On the suspects produced in court on Thursday, Acting Senior Superintendent of Police said the male is suspected of being the driver of a getaway car while the woman is part of the gang who received the stolen property to be sold.
He said the two suspects were traced with the help of public tip-offs.
Videos and photos of the armed robbery also went viral on social media.