74-year-old man among four held for beating suspected burglar to death

A septuagenarian was among four people detained to facilitate investigations into the beating to death of a suspected burglar in Lubok Merbau near Kuala Kangsar early yesterday morning.

The 74-year-old man has been remanded for five days, starting today while the rest, aged 19, 25 and 28 are held for seven days.

Kuala Kangsar police chief ACP Ahmad Termizi Abd Haq said the police received a report from the public that a suspected thief who had broken into a house in Kampung Kubang Panjang about 3.30am was caught.

"Upon arrival at the scene of the incident, the police found the man was rendered unconscious and sustained injuries from beatings with the use of a hard object," he said when contacted by Bernama here today.

He said the 36-year-old suspect who sustained head injuries was sent to the Kuala Kangsar Hospital for treatment and later referred to the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital here.

He was pronounced dead about 5pm yesterday.

Ahmad Termizi said investigations revealed the deceased allegedly broke into the house via a window and took several items - unaware he was under watch.

He added that the suspect had four criminal records and a drug-related case.

-- BERNAMA