Two unemployed locals were sentenced to jail yesterday after they admitted to stealing government property from the Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Bridge on two occasions.
Mohd Edy Ezwan bin Mohd Hirwan, 25, was handed a 12-month jail term, while Mohammad Yusra bin Mohamad Yusri, 24, received 16 months’ imprisonment for their roles in the theft of copper-tinned tapes valued at over BND3,000.
Magistrate Syaffina Shahif delivered the sentences following guilty pleas from both defendants.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nurulatikah binti Haji Husaini revealed that the pair first struck on April 8, when they, along with two other individuals, stole six copper-tinned tapes measuring 5.85 metres each from the bridge. The stolen materials, belonging to the government of Brunei Darussalam, were later sold at a scrap metal shop in Kampong Bunut for BND630.
Mohammad Yusra and an accomplice returned to the bridge to retrieve the stolen items after initially leaving them behind. The proceeds from the sale were split among the group, with Mohammad Yusra receiving BND150.
On April 11, the duo repeated the offence, this time stealing two copper-tinned tapes of similar size. They sold these for BND220 and divided the cash, using some of the funds to buy fuel and food.
Investigations were launched after suspicious activity was detected on the bridge’s CCTV system by the Brunei Bridge Authority. Police identified the suspects and traced the white vehicle used in both thefts.
While Mohd Edy Ezwan had no prior convictions, the court heard that Mohammad Yusra had a criminal record, which contributed to the heavier sentence.
The copper-tinned tapes were not recovered in either incident. – Fadley Faisal
