MELAKA: He wanted to return to his hometown in Kapar, Selangor, so he stole a school bus.

However, the 27-year-old man’s “free” ride was shortlived after he crashed the bus at the shoulder of a road along Alor Gajah-Melaka Tengah-Jasin (AMJ) highway at 5.45pm on Monday.

“The suspect told my officers that he wanted to drive the bus back to his hometown,” said Melaka Tengah OCPD Asst Comm Christopher Patit.

He said investigation showed that the bus belonged to a 68-year-old man, who had parked the vehicle at a petrol station in Kampung Musai.

He said the owner initially thought his brother had taken the bus.“The owner only realised his bus was stolen when his brother contacted him,” he added.

The suspect has been remanded until tomorrow to assist in the investigation under Section 379 (A) of the Penal Code for motor vehicle theft.

ACP Christopher Patit said the suspect had a previous carjacking record in 2013.