GEORGE TOWN – The public has been advised to exercise caution when dealing with deliverymen following the robbery at knifepoint of a 30-year-old woman at her flats in Batu Lanchang.
In the 10.30am incident in Van Praagh Road on Monday, the two men had appeared in front of the victim’s door with a box and had asked her to sign for it.
As she opened the door, one of the men rushed in, brandished a knife and told her not to scream.
The men demanded RM50,000 from the woman, but when she said she did not have that kind of money, one of the men snatched a necklace worth RM1,200.
Her 3-year-old daughter was with her throughout the ordeal, while her 3-month-old son was shoved into a polystyrene box with his mouth gagged and duct-taped for more than half an hour by robbers.
George Town OCPD Asst Comm Soffian Santong said following the case, residents should be wary about allowing strangers into their homes.
“They must screen the people and confirm if they had transacted food or courier bookings.
“If one is unaware, check with the spouse or family members if a booking was made and the type of transaction, whether it was cash on delivery, credit or other mode of payments,” he said.
He said that the public must take safety measures at a time when there is high dependence on online shopping and home deliveries.
“From groceries to food to pharmaceutical and mail order of every imaginable item, agents of couriers are rampant, but they need to be vetted in the process,” said Soffian.
Those with information on the incident can contact the nearest police station at 04-2825922. – The Vibes, February 19, 2021
