Rapid KL foils second cable theft attempt in a week

KUALA LUMPUR: An attempted theft of earthing cables along the MRT Putrajaya Line was foiled after a man was arrested in an intelligence-led operation by Rapid KL auxiliary police.

Rapid KL said the arrest followed an attempted cable theft on Saturday, which disrupted train services on the line.

Following the incident, auxiliary police and the Putrajaya Line operations team stepped up patrols, surveillance and security checks at identified high-risk locations, including during the Deepavali holiday period.

In a patrol at about 1pm on Nov 8, auxiliary police personnel found several earthing cables believed to have been targeted by thieves near an electrical substation (BSS) close to Jinjang station.

"Checks found that the cables had been cut elsewhere before being left at the substation, believed to be awaiting collection and removal," it said in a statement today.

Rapid KL said surveillance and monitoring continued in the surrounding area, including along the stretch between Jinjang and Metro Prima stations, to track down those involved.

At 11.57pm, a lorry was spotted entering the area and was believed to have been used to transport the cut cables.

However, the lorry driver fled during the raid, while auxiliary police personnel arrested a suspect and handed him over to the police for further action and investigation.

Rapid KL said this was the second arrest involving attempted cable theft within its operational areas in a week.

It warned that cable theft and trespassing onto railway tracks were not only criminal offences but could also endanger those involved, damage critical infrastructure and disrupt public transport services.

It said it would continue working with the authorities and strengthen security measures to protect its assets and ensure reliable train services.