Ex-employee held over RM83,000 theft of phones, apple watches and cash

A FORMER employee of a telecommunications company in Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI) has been arrested after allegedly stealing electronic devices and cash belonging to his former employer in a case involving losses estimated at RM83,000.

Brickfields district police chief Assistant Commissioner Hoo Chang Hook said the 22-year-old suspect was detained following a police report lodged yesterday by a representative of the company after a substantial inventory discrepancy was discovered.

The alleged theft came to light after company officials reviewed closed-circuit television (CCTV) recordings and conducted stock checks, which revealed a significant number of missing mobile phones and Apple Watches.

According to Hoo, management was also alerted by an employee who reported that a large quantity of stock had disappeared and suspected that a former staff member may have been responsible.

“An employee informed the complainant that a large number of mobile phones and Apple Watches were missing from inventory and suspected that the former employee had taken them,” he said in a statement.

Investigators subsequently established that the suspect had previously worked for the company and had resigned from his position on 29 May.

Among the items reported missing were 12 mobile phones of various brands, three Apple Watches and approximately RM550 in cash.

Police later recovered several mobile phones, Apple Watches and a bag believed to be connected to the investigation.

“Initial investigations found that the suspect admitted his involvement in the case under investigation.

“The suspect also admitted that the items seized belonged to the company and informed police that another mobile phone was at a shop in Sungai Buloh for repairs,” Hoo said.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspect admitted involvement in the alleged theft and acknowledged that the seized items belonged to the company. He also informed investigators that another mobile phone linked to the case had been left at a repair shop in Sungai Buloh.

Police checks found that the suspect has no prior criminal record.

The case is being investigated under Section 381 of the Penal Code for theft by a clerk or servant, and further investigations are ongoing. - June 4, 2026