Pakan cook who stole RM350 from employer for formula milk, langkau gets 8 months' jail

SIBU (Oct 8): The Magistrates’ Court in Sarikei has sentenced a cook to eight months’ jail for breaking into his employer’s cafe and stealing RM350 to buy formula milk and langkau (rice spirit).

Umpang Mandi, 30, who worked at a restaurant in Pakan, pleaded guilty yesterday before Magistrate Stella Augustine Druce to a charge under Section 445 of the Penal Code.

According to the charge sheet, the offence took place between 8pm and 9pm on Sept 28 at a cafe in New Pakan Bazaar.

Police investigations revealed that Umpang, who was employed as a cook at the complainant’s cafe, broke into the premises through the back door by bending the metal grille and switching off the electricity supply to the closed-circuit television (CCTV) system.

However, CCTV footage clearly showed him entering the cafe from the back entrance and tampering with the camera positioned at the counter.

The court also ordered for the custodial sentence at Sibu Prison to take effect from the date of his arrest on Oct 1.

Deputy public prosecutor Aiman Zarith Zahrullail appeared for the prosecution, while Umpang did not have legal representation.

Julau police chief DSP Alif Haiqal Ramesh Abdullah said the cafe owner lodged a police report three days after the incident upon discovering that cash and coins kept at the premises were missing.

The complainant also handed over a flash drive containing four CCTV recordings from the cafe.

“Acting on the report, a team from the Julau District Criminal Investigation Department arrested the suspect in front of Rumah Panjang Mandi, Sungai Entawai, Pakan, on Oct 1 around 2.40pm,” he said in a statement.

Further investigation revealed that the suspect admitted breaking into the cafe and stealing RM350.

“The suspect claimed that he used part of the money to buy milk for his child and the rest to purchase air langkau,” Alif Haiqal said.

He also said the cafe’s back door was rusty and damaged, making it easy to force open and gain entry.

“The main motive behind the crime was financial hardship and family needs. Although the amount stolen was small, the offence remains serious as it involved breaking into a business premises,” he said.

The value of losses reported was RM3,100.

Alif Haiqal advised business owners to be more cautious when hiring employees and to ensure their premises are equipped with functioning security systems, including CCTV and additional locks, to prevent similar incidents.

“Julau police will continue to intensify patrols and monitoring in small towns like Pakan to ensure public safety,” he added.