Man sets fire to tow truck after his car was towed
Upset about his car getting towed, a man set fire to a tow truck owned by the Johor Bahru City Council (MBJB) at around 11.08am on 15 Aug.
CCTV footage of the incident shows a man approaching the tow truck parked on the side of the road in front of the MBJB Impounded Vehicle Depot.
He appears to be holding a metal container in one hand.
Source: Community Roda Johor – CRJ on Facebook
The man then douses the truck with a liquid, believed to be petrol, before setting it on fire with a lighter.
Later in the video, another man is shown putting out the blaze with a fire extinguisher while the suspect lingered nearby.
Suspect did not have money to pay fine
In a statement on Sunday (17 Aug), Johor Bahru Selatan District Police Assistant Commissioner Raub Selamat revealed that the suspect is a 31-year-old local man.
He was dissatisfied after his Perodua Axia was towed on 14 Aug, which led him to commit the crime.
Source: Community Roda Johor – CRJ on Facebook
Mr Raub further explained:
The suspect, who did not have the money to pay the complaint, was asked to make an appeal, but felt the process was difficult and encouraged the suspect to act outside the limits of the law.
According to the commissioner, the damage incurred in the fire is estimated to cost around RM10,000 (S$3,038).
Suspect pleads guilty in court
The suspect was arrested later on the day of the incident at 1.06pm.
An aluminium can and a lighter were seized from him.
Upon checking his records, authorities found that he had previous drug offences.
However, he tested negative for drugs at the time of his arrest.
On 19 Aug, the 31-year-old unemployed man was charged in court and faces a maximum jail term of 14 years and a fine.
He was accused of committing mischief by using petrol with the intent to cause destruction.
The man has pleaded guilty to the charge and awaits sentencing.
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Featured image adapted from Community Roda Johor – CRJ on Facebook.
