A 13-YEAR-OLD boy was arrested after he tried to stab an e-hailing driver near Taman Keladi in Sungai Petani, Kedah, yesterday.
Kuala Muda police chief Zaidy Che Hassan said the incident occurred at about 5.43pm when the teenager attempted to stab the 65-year-old driver with a knife.
The boy had also tried to grab money in the driver’s shirt pocket.
The driver had picked up the boy in Taman Keladi and was to drop him off in Bandar Sri Astana.
While on the way there, the teenager asked the driver if he could borrow RM50 to pay his house rent.
“The driver then told the boy since he did not have the money to pay for the ride, he would have to drop him off immediately.
“However, the boy insisted he be taken to a house in Bandar Sri Astana where he said he would get money to pay the driver,” said Zaidy.
When they arrived in Bandar Sri Astana, the teenager asked to be taken back to Taman Keladi. He also paid the driver RM18.
“The suspect then attempted to delay the victim by directing him to drive through several alleys,” he said.
Due to the additional routes, the driver asked the teenager to pay another RM9 upon reaching the destination.
“When the driver was returning the change, the teenager attempted to stab him in the chest and take the money from his pocket.
“However, the driver managed to grab the knife and bit the teenager’s hand, causing him to get out of the car and flee,” said Zaidy.
Police arrested the teenager about 10pm after the victim lodged a report. They also seized a 25cm knife from the victim’s car.
Video footage from the dashcam, which has since gone viral, revealed that the teenager attempted to stab the victim but the knife struck the seatbelt.
Initial investigations revealed that the teenager is the eldest of four siblings and had acted in anger after he was scolded by the victim.
“We believe he was trying to reclaim his fare,” Zaidy said, adding that the case was being investigated under section 393 of the Penal Code for attempted robbery. – The Vibes, November 28, 2023
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