KEPALA BATAS – Two men alleged to have impersonated policemen and be involved in motorcycle thefts in Penang have been arrested.
The duo were nabbed after a police report was lodged on Wednesday by a Myanmar national, who works in a padi field near Padang Tembusu near here.
Seberang Prai Utara district police chief Noorzainy Mohd said the victim was having a meal near the padi field when the suspects, who were on a motorcycle, stopped and demanded documents from him.
“When the victim refused to hand over the documents, one of the men took a stick and hit him on the hand. The duo then escaped on the victim’s Yamaha 135LC.”
The suspects, believed to be drug addicts, were arrested at a roadblock near Penaga. They were riding the stolen motorcycle.
Noorzainy said investigations showed that the two had been targeting foreigners, and are suspected to be behind motorcycle thefts in the district.
One of the suspects, a 29-year-old, has nine criminal and drug records, while the other, aged 28, has seven such records.
“We recovered two stolen motorcycles, including the one belonging to the Myanmar national,” said Noorzainy.
Both suspects are being investigated under Section 395 of the Penal Code for gang robbery, which carries a maximum 20-year jail term and whipping upon conviction.
They were also charged under Section 379A of the same act, which carries a maximum jail sentence of seven years, and liable to a fine.
Police have obtained a four-day remand order against them.
In another case, a 19-year-old was arrested after snatching a gold chain from a woman at an apartment in Kg Benggali, Butterworth, on Wednesday.
Noorzainy said in the 4.30pm incident, the suspect entered the unit when the housewife went outside to check on the water pipe after discovering that supply had been cut off.
“The woman fell on the ground when the suspect pulled the chain. He also escaped with two gold pendants.”
The teen was nabbed at a house in Kg Perlis yesterday. – The Vibes, January 16, 2021
