KEPALA BATAS – Police have rescued a 38-year-old man within six hours of his abduction at the Jalan Sg Nyior traffic light junction in Butterworth.
The victim’s kidnapping by three men yesterday evening is believed to be over his failure to repay RM2,300 borrowed from the prime suspect’s wife.
Police acted after a 48-year-old eyewitness, who took photographs of the 5.30pm incident, came to the district police headquarters here to report the matter.
Photographs of the incident went viral on social media, leading to police raiding a flat in Mak Mandin and rescuing the victim about 11.30pm.
Seberang Prai Utara district police chief Noorzainy Mohd Noor said a D9 team, led by officer Mohd Yusof Ibrahim, located the flat and raided the unit.
“The victim was found with head injuries and swelling on his body, due to assault by the three suspects. He was immediately taken to the district police headquarters and later sent for treatment at Kepala Batas Hospital,” Noorzainy told a press conference at the district police headquarters here today.
He said the complainant reported that she saw a man running from a Proton Saga and shouting for help.
However, the three suspects gave chase and bundled him into the car, which headed towards Jalan Siram.
Initial investigations showed that the main suspect had called the victim to an ATM, to return the borrowed sum.
However, there was insufficient money in his account.
The victim was known to the three suspects, who have numerous criminal and drug records.
The prime suspect has 12 records, while the 24-year-old second suspect has six, and the third suspect, a 25-year-old, has five.
The case is being investigated under Section 367 of the Penal Code for abduction, which carries a maximum 10-year jail term and a fine.
Police have obtained a four-day remand order against the suspects from the Butterworth magistrates’ court. – The Vibes, January 15, 2021
