There are coin-operated self-service car wash systems in the multi-storey car parks of several government housing estates across the island; after three local men discovered that they could easily open the device and steal the coins inside with only a screwdriver and a magnet, they conspired to Multiple parking lots committed crimes and coins worth more than $100,000 were stolen.
One of them was jailed for 14 months
The 26-year-old first defendant, Muhammad Nabil Ahmad Sabtu, pleaded guilty to one charge of theft in court and was sentenced to 14 months in prison on 19 January; the defendant will start serving his sentence on the 16th of next month.
The second defendant, 27-year-old Abdul Razak Rashid, faces four charges related to theft. As he needs time to seek legal aid, the case will be adjourned to the 15th of next month.
The third defendant, Muhammad Rasyid Abidin, 27, was charged with nine theft-related offenses and has been remanded since Aug 13 last year. He is also the mastermind of this case.
The first and second defendants were released on bail of $10,000 and $15,000 respectively.
Multiple offenses within seven months
The case shows that from May to December 2021, the three conspired to commit crimes several times and stole coins with a total value of more than $100,000.
Every time a crime is committed, one of them will be in charge of being a lookout, and the other two will be responsible for the theft; after each successful theft, the second and third defendants will go to a nearby bank together, deposit the stolen coins into one of their accounts, and then withdraw the cash before dividing it into three portions.
Deputy Public Prosecutor pointed out that the first defendant was involved in the crime from January last year and was no longer involved in the theft.
The coin-operated self-service car wash system involved in the case is operated by Avalanche Mechtronics. The director of the company reported the case to the police after discovering coins were stolen from one of the machines in August last year.
Theft, if convicted, carries a maximum sentence of seven years in prison and a fine.
The post Three men who stole over $100,000 from coin-operated car wash machines dealt with by authorities appeared first on The Independent News.
